THE MUJAHEDEEN IN THE ARMY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 1992-1995

• Published in: Istorija 20. veka (1983) no. 2; p. 455
• Main Author: Nikolić, Kosta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Belgrade Institut za Savremenu Istoriyu 01-01-2023
• Subjects: Armed forces; Islam; Islamic countries; Livestock; Muslims; Soldiers; War crimes; Bosnia-Hercegovina
• ISSN: 0352-3160; 2560-3647
• DOI: 10.29362/ist20veka.2023.2.nik.455-482

In 1992, the so-called Mujahedeen forces joined the military struggle of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the Croat and Serbian forces. In an attempt to put these unruly units under the Bosnian army control, on August 13, 1993 General Rasim Delić signed an order authorizing the formation of a detachment named "El Mujahedin". Soldiers within this unit referred to themselves as "Holy Warriors" and were required to strictly adhere to Islamic beliefs. The "Mujahedin" who were principally from Islamic countries, were prepared to conduct a "Jihad" or "Holy War" in Bosnia and Herzegovina against the enemies of the Bosnian Muslims. Following its establishment, the detachment significantly grew in size and by 1995 it comprised approximately several hundred fighters. During the fight between 1993 and 1995, mainly Bosnian Serbs and Croat dwellings and buildings, as well as civilian personal propertied livestock, were destroyed or severely damaged. The biggest war crimes against Serbian civilians and soldiers the Mujahedeen forces were committed by in July and September 1995. Based on the peace agreement in Dayton, the "El Mujahedin" detachment was disbanded.