The announced reopening of the Ibar River bridge in North Mitrovica, a symbolic and strategically significant site in Kosovo, has sparked considerable debate among local residents. Despite being a hot topic of discussion in the area, many citizens, particularly the youth, are reluctant to share their views on camera. Those who do speak out are largely opposed to the bridge’s reopening, at least at this moment in time.
The Kosovan government is actively working to open the main bridge on the Ibar, with high-ranking officials in Pristina increasingly advocating for its reopening.
However, key international players, including the Quint countries, the European Union, and KFOR, oppose unilateral moves and stress the importance of coordination and adherence to the Brussels Agreement on bridge revitalization.
KFOR has warned that it will not hesitate to take action against any developments that could compromise security, while the United States has issued a public warning that reopening the bridge at this time could endanger the safety of American soldiers in the area.
Despite Kosovo’s claims of readiness to coordinate with international partners, the government has resisted calls to discuss the bridge within the framework of the Brussels dialogue, arguing that the issue was settled in 2017 and is a „Kosovan matter.“
Nevertheless, EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák confirmed last night that the implementation of the agreement to open the bridge will be discussed at the next Brussels meeting. He warned Pristina that imposing decisions against the will of the affected citizens would not contribute to normalization.
The Serbian community has already expressed its opposition to the bridge’s reopening. At a protest last week near the bridge, participants unanimously voiced their disapproval. Additionally, a group of women from the northern part of the town recently handed a petition, reportedly signed by more than 400 women, to KFOR, demanding that the bridge remain closed.
This sentiment was echoed in a social media poll conducted by KoSSev, where nearly a thousand votes were cast within 24 hours, with the overwhelming majority opposing the bridge’s reopening.
What Do the Citizens Say?
In addition to the online poll, KoSSev spoke with residents on the streets of North Mitrovica to gauge public opinion on the potential reopening of the bridge.
While the issue dominates local conversations, most residents were unwilling to discuss it on camera. Many of those approached declined to comment, citing time constraints or simply stating that they were not from the area. Older residents suggested that younger people be asked, but the youth were particularly hesitant to speak on the matter.
However, a few older citizens did share their views, expressing strong opposition to the bridge’s reopening, believing that the timing is not right.
One older resident speculated that Pristina’s intention is not merely to open the bridge but to unite the two halves of the town, which has been divided along ethnic lines since the Kosovo War.
„There are other bridges in the Bosniak Mahala, Suvi Do, and near Dudin Krš. This isn’t just about opening a bridge, it’s about principle, stubbornness. They want to unify Mitrovica, to make it one municipality,“ he said.
He also saw the push to open the bridge as part of a broader pressure campaign.
„I am against it,“ another respondent said simply, and this sentiment was echoed by another citizen, who said that the reopening „is not a good idea.“
Although one resident revealed that he was not afraid of a possible deterioration of the security situation if the bridge were reopened, he noted, „There will always be problems, as there always have been, but God willing, there won’t be.“
KoSSev also spoke to people directly on the bridge, where opinions varied. An ethnic Albanian advocated for the reopening, saying it would be „best for all of us if we could move freely everywhere.“
Conversely, the director of Kontakt Plus radio, a resident of the northern part of the town, described the issue as „completely politicized, causing unease.“
She suggested that this was why people in the north felt additional fear. Although she doubted that reopening the bridge would significantly change the situation on the ground, she argued that now is not the time for such a move.
„Especially under this kind of pressure and narrative that it’s necessary to bring communities closer together… after so many actions and decisions that have directly impacted the population in the north,“ she said.
One resident expressed resignation about the eventual reopening: „What can we think? They’ll open it sooner or later—whether it’s tomorrow or the day after.“
However, he also suggested that the reopening should be delayed „for a while longer“ due to current tensions and nervousness among the local population:
„I don’t know how nervous they are on the southern side, but here, they definitely are,“ he concluded.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
