Stabilisation Force
European Union Force
May 1997 – to date
Under UNSCR 1031 NATO was given the mandate to implement the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreements following the end of the war in Bosnia Herzegovina in 1995. As a result IFOR (Implementation Force) was deployed and completed its mission by December 1996 and was subsequently replaced by SFOR.
The new force's mandate, authorised by UNSCR 1088, consisted of deterring the resumption of hostilities, promoting a climate conducive to the peace process, and providing support to civilian organisations. Commencing with 32,000 troops SFOR underwent reorganisation in 1999/2000 and was reduced to 20,000.
Irish contribution began in May 1997 and consisted of a Military Police (MP) Company Headquarters, a Military Police Platoon, and a National Support Element. The contingent was based in SFOR HQ in Sarajevo and policed the 8,000 SFOR troops based in the area. The Irish MP Coy was withdrawn in January 2003.
The Defence Forces retained 12 positions in SFOR HQ until December 2004 when SFOR was replaced by the EU-led mission, Operation 'Althea', also known as EUFOR, which was authorised by UNSCR 1575. EUFORs mission is to provide deterrence and continued compliance with the Dayton Peace Agreements and to contribute to a safe and secure environment in Bosnia Herzegovina.
EUFOR also provides support to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and provides the security environment in which the police can act against organised criminal networks. Defence Forces contribution to the new mission has increased and we now have 44 personnel serving with EUFOR as staff officers, military police and with weapons verification teams.
There are 7,000 troops serving with EUFOR, provided by 22 EU member states and 11 non-EU states.
|
Duration |
May 1997 – to date |
|
Operation type |
EU led Crisis Management Operation |
|
Commitment |
40 |
Visit the official SFOR website
Visit the official EUFOR Bosnia website
