Croatian Defence Council

Croatian Defence Council
Hrvatsko vijeće obrane
LeadersMilivoj Petković
Bruno Stojić
Vladimir Šoljić
Slobodan Praljak
Ante Roso
Tihomir Blaškić
Dates of operation1992–1996
Allegiance Herzeg-Bosnia
HeadquartersMostar
Size50,000[1] (1995)
Allies ARBiH (1991–1992, 1994–1995)
HV
Opponents
Battles and warsYugoslav Wars
Bosnian War
Croat–Bosniak War
Operation Storm
Flag
HVO T-55 tanks

The Croatian Defence Council (Croatian: Hrvatsko vijeće obrane, HVO) was the official military formation of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, an unrecognized state that existed in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1991 and 1996. The HVO was the main military force of the Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[citation needed]

In the initial stage of the Bosnian War, the HVO fought alongside the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) against the Army of Republika Srpska, but in the latter stage of the conflict clashed against its former ally, particularly in the Mostar area.[2] The European Community Monitoring Mission estimated the strength of the HVO in the beginning of 1993 at 45,000–55,000.[3] In July 1993, the Central Intelligence Agency estimated the HVO forces at 40,000 to 50,000 men.[4]

HVO was incorporated into the Army of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VFBiH) in December 1995 by following agreement made after signing the Dayton Accords. In December 2005 HVO was reorganized as 1st Infantry Guard Regiment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after VFBiH and Army of Republika Srpska were united into a single armed force.

  1. ^ "Ustroj Hrvatskog vijeća obrane (HVO) 1995". www.vojska.net. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  2. ^ Stallaerts, Robert (2010). Historical Dictionary of Croatia (3rd ed.). Scarecrow Press. p. 60. ISBN 9780810873636.
  3. ^ Shrader 2003, p. 22.
  4. ^ CIA 1993, p. 28.