Kosovo's Bridge Reopening Spurs International Concerns

Kosovo's Prime Minister advocates for reopening a bridge in Mitrovica to promote free movement, but Western nations caution it could spark tensions. The bridge has seen ethnic conflict, with Serbs fearing ethnic cleansing. The NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers and several Western countries urge political dialogue before any action.

Kosovo's Prime Minister stated Wednesday that reopening the bridge in Mitrovica would further free movement and pose no threat. However, Western powers express concerns, fearing potential tensions.

The bridge, closed to passenger traffic for over a decade due to ethnic Serbs' barricades, highlights the city's division between an ethnic Albanian south and a Serb-dominated north.

Calls to reopen the bridge have heightened worries of rekindling ethnic conflict. NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers and Western countries urge decisions to be made through political dialogue to avoid heightened risks and violence.

(With inputs from agencies.)