UE-EUFOR ALTHEA-Bosnia and Herzegovina
Spanish servicemen stationed in Sarajevo contribute to the development of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Armed Forces by advising them in terms of doctrine, interoperability, standardization and training. This will make them to obtain the same capabilities and qualities as the rest of the NATO countries.
Currently, Spain is contributing to the Althea Operation with 3 servicemen, one of them in Mons (Belgium) and the other two in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
In January 2010, in the Council of the European Union, the member States agreed to transform the operation EUFOR Althea into a non-executive training and counselling Army mission.
The crisis originated in the Balkans in 1991, following splitting of the ex-Yugoslavia, prompted some armed conflicts in Slovenia and Croatia. After the expansion of the war to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UN started up an humanitarian aid mission in this country. In November 1992, Spain sent the first contingent, which was incorporated into the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), with the double aim of preserving compliance of the peace agreements achieved so far, as well as protecting humanitarian aid convoys.
At the end of that year, the confrontation between the Serbs and the coalition formed by Croatians and Muslims, fighting to take control of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was fiercely fought. At the beginning of 1993, Croatians and Muslims, until then allies, started to fight among themselves. In April, the war extended into the area assigned to Spanish forces in the Neretva valley, mainly Mostar, where the most violent combats were registered.
After the signing of the Dayton Agreements in Paris on 14 December 1995, which put an end to the war, NATO launched the IFOR mission, which replaced the Blue Helmets, and a year later, on 20 December 1996, the smaller SFOR. On 2 December 2004, SFOR gave way to EUFOR, an EU military operation, which on 25 October 2010 was transformed into a training and advisory mission for the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2020
- Between November 24 and 26, Exercise JOCEX was carried out by EUFOR HQ to simulate a natural emergency disaster.
- November 23rd. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy visits EUFOR HQ.
- Between August 21 and September 7, Exercise "Quick Response-20" was carried out, as scheduled.
- March 16th.The current rotation of Spanish personnel took over.
- January 16th. PSC approved OPLAN's revision 5, about some operational changes on the Operation.
2018
- September 19. Se produce el relevo del contingente.
- June 18. Tribute at Camp Butmir to the 23 heroes that gave their lives for Spain in BiH.
2010
- October 25. EUFOR Althea is transformed into a training and advisory mission for the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina
2004
- December 2. The Stabilisation Force (SFOR) gave way to EUFOR Althea.
EMAD PRESS RELEASES ON EUFOR ALTHEA
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The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy visits EUFOR HQ
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy visits EUFOR HQ
2020/11/23Bosnia and Herzegovina
More information -
Mission 'Althea' in Sarajevo paid tribute to the Spanish servicemen fallen in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mission 'Althea' in Sarajevo paid tribute to the Spanish servicemen fallen in Bosnia and Herzegovina
2020/05/13 More information