Bridges on the Ibar: Pristina’s Plan to Expel Serbs from Northern Kosovo?
Is the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar River, alongside the existing three, just an infrastructure project or a cunning plan to expel Serbs from northern Kosovo and Metohija? Zoran Anđelković, director of the public company “Roads of Serbia,” leaves no doubt — this is another step by the Pristina authorities to fully integrate northern Mitrovica and expel the Serbian population.
New Bridges, Old Goals
According to Anđelković, building two new bridges on the Ibar is not just a technical endeavor. It is part of a broader strategy by Pristina to reduce Serbian presence and increase the number of Albanians in northern Kosovo. He recalls previous attempts to abolish the municipality of North Mitrovica, buying local properties, confiscating apartments, and banning Serbs from building houses — all aimed at ethnic cleansing.
Reactions and Ignoring the International Community
Although representatives of the Quint countries, KFOR, EULEX, EU, OSCE, and UNMIK received a petition against the construction of the bridges, there has been no reaction. Anđelković doubts anyone will stop these works, as they have already allowed 3% of Albanians to govern all municipalities in northern Kosovo. He emphasizes that Albin Kurti’s policy is based on hatred towards the Serbian people and aims at final ethnic cleansing.
Local Elections as a Chance for Change
Anđelković stresses the importance of local elections scheduled for October 12. Serbs must take power in all four municipalities in northern Kosovo to prevent further expulsion and preserve their rights. However, he warns that without international support, local self-government will not be able to do much.
Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Escalation and Destabilization
Petar Petković, director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, discussed with Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, the escalating moves by Pristina. He pointed out that plans for new bridges are directly aimed against the interests of the Serbian people and are part of a broader strategy of destabilization and expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo.
Petković noted that Serbs in northern and southern Ibar face institutional terror, arrests, fabricated political trials, and closure of vital institutions, leading to existential endangerment and disenfranchisement.
Dialogue as the Only Way, But Without Fulfillment of Obligations
Belgrade remains committed to dialogue as the only sustainable path to normalize relations but stresses that Pristina must fulfill its obligations, including forming the Community of Serbian Municipalities, which Serbs have awaited for 12 years.
Conclusion: Bridges or Barricades?
Building bridges on the Ibar is not just a matter of infrastructure. It is a matter of survival for the Serbian people in northern Kosovo. While Pristina builds bridges, Serbs wonder if these are bridges to the future or barricades to their survival.
Got thoughts on this? Whether you’re for or against, or think it’s all just political theater, drop a comment below. Let the voice from the Ibar be heard!
