Croatian Defence Council
The Croatian Defence Council (Croatian: Hrvatsko vijeće obrane or HVO) was the official military formation of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, an unrecognized state that existed in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1991 and 1996. The HVO was the main military force of the Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| Croatian Defence Council | |
|---|---|
| Hrvatsko vijeće obrane | |
Emblem of the Croatian Defence Council | |
| Commander in chief | Milivoj Petković |
| Minister of Defence | Bruno Stojić (1992–1993) Vladimir Šoljić (1993–1996) |
| Foundation | 8 April 1992 |
| Dissolved | 1 March 1996 |
| Allegiance | Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia |
| Headquarters | Mostar |
| Size | 50,000 (1995) |
| Allies | Croatia Bosnia and Herzegovina (before 18 October 1992; 1994–1995) |
| Opponents | Republika Srpska Bosnia and Herzegovina (18 October 1992–23 February 1994) |
| Battles and wars | Bosnian War Croat–Bosniak War Operation Storm |
| Flag | |
In the initial stage of the Bosnian War, the HVO fought alongside the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) against the Bosnian Serbs, but in the latter stage of the conflict clashed against its former ally, particularly in the Mostar area. The European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM) estimated the strength of the HVO in the beginning of 1993 at 45,000–55,000. In July 1993, CIA estimated the HVO forces at 40,000 to 50,000 men.
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.