The Italian defence news outlet Infodifesa.it has reported that the transfer of responsibility for the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica to the Kosovo Police is becoming increasingly visible on the ground, following Italian General Roberto Vergori’s assumption of command of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).
According to the outlet, the transition includes the Kosovo Police taking responsibility for the bridge, as well as its involvement in the security arrangements surrounding the Visoki Dečani Monastery.
Infodifesa cited former KFOR commander Turkish General Özkan Ulutaş, who stressed before leaving his post that the optimization of KFOR’s presence should not be interpreted as a transfer of the mission’s mandate to the Kosovo Police or as a withdrawal or reduction of NATO’s commitment.
Despite the changes on the ground, the Italian outlet reported that KFOR’s command continues to describe the security situation in Kosovo as fragile, with the potential for renewed tensions, particularly in the north.
The developments come amid adjustments to KFOR’s operational arrangements and continued attention to security in sensitive areas of Kosovo.
