Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the official military force of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War. The army was formed in 1992, following the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, with the primary goal of defending the country against the Bosnian Serb Army and the Croatian Defence Council. The army was led by Sefer Halilović, Rasim Delić, and other notable commanders, and received support from the United Nations Protection Force and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The army played a crucial role in the Battle of Sarajevo, the Siege of Mostar, and the Battle of Bihać.

● History

The history of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is closely tied to the Bosnian War, which began in 1992 and lasted until 1995. The army was formed from a mixture of Territorial Defense Forces, Patriotic League, and other paramilitary groups, with the goal of defending the country against the Bosnian Serb Army and the Croatian Defence Council. The army received support from the International Community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, and was also aided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The army fought in several key battles, including the Battle of Sarajevo, the Siege of Mostar, and the Battle of Bihać, alongside other forces such as the Croatian Army and the Kosovo Liberation Army. The army was also involved in the Washington Agreement, which ended the conflict between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

● Organization

The organization of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was complex and evolved over time. The army was led by the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was headed by Sefer Halilović and later by Rasim Delić. The army was divided into several corps, including the 1st Corps, the 2nd Corps, the 3rd Corps, the 4th Corps, and the 5th Corps, each of which was responsible for a different region of the country. The army also had a number of specialized units, including the Presidential Guard, the Special Forces, and the Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence. The army worked closely with other organizations, such as the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the European Union, to achieve its goals.

● Equipment

The equipment of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was limited, especially in the early years of the war. The army relied heavily on Soviet Union-made equipment, such as the T-55 tank, the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, and the ZSU-23-4 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The army also used equipment from other countries, including the United States, Germany, and Turkey. The army received support from the United Nations Development Programme and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to upgrade its equipment and training. The army also developed its own military industry, with the help of companies such as Igman Konjic and UNIS Tunjice, to produce equipment such as ammunition, grenades, and mortars.

● Military Operations

The military operations of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina were focused on defending the country against the Bosnian Serb Army and the Croatian Defence Council. The army fought in several key battles, including the Battle of Sarajevo, the Siege of Mostar, and the Battle of Bihać. The army also launched several offensives, including the Operation Neretva '93 and the Operation Mistral 2, to retake territory from the enemy. The army worked closely with other forces, such as the Croatian Army and the Kosovo Liberation Army, to achieve its goals. The army received support from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United States Air Force during the Operation Deny Flight and the Operation Deliberate Force.

● Notable Members

The Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina had several notable members, including Sefer Halilović, Rasim Delić, and Enver Hadžihasanović. Other notable members included Jovan Divjak, Stjepan Šiber, and Blagoje Adžić. The army also had several notable units, including the Zmaj od Bosne and the Bratunac Brigade. The army received support from several notable individuals, including Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, and Boris Yeltsin. The army was also aided by several notable organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the European Union.

Category:Military of Bosnia and Herzegovina