The Multi-National Division (South-West) was a military formation which formed part of IFOR, a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996, and then formed part of SFOR, another NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force, from 20 December 1996 until June 2004.
Multi-National Division (South-West) | |
---|---|
Active | 1995–2004 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Type | Command |
Part of | IFOR SFOR |
Garrison/HQ | Banja Luka |
The division's role, passed down to it by IFOR, was to implement the military Annexes of The General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina – specifically in the South-West Sector.[1] From December 1996, the role passed down by SFOR was to "deter hostilities and stabilise the peace, contribute to a secure environment by providing a continued military presence in the Area Of Responsibility (AOR), target and coordinate SFOR support to key areas including primary civil implementation organisations, and progress towards a lasting consolidation of peace, without further need for NATO-led forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina" – again specifically in the South-West Sector.[2]
The division was based at Banja Luka and was British led: the British codename for its involvement in IFOR was Operation Resolute[3] and for its involvement in SFOR was Operation Lodestar.[4] Multi-National Division (South-West) included a British brigade (4th Mechanized Brigade from October 1995,[5] 1st Mechanized Brigade from April 1996,[6] 20th Armoured Brigade from October 1996[7] and 7th Armoured Brigade from April 1997)[8] as well as Canadian and Dutch units.[9]
Division headquarters was provided by 3 (UK) Division from December 1995 until June 1996[10] and again in January 1998 to August 1998;[11] Division headquarters was provided by 1st (UK) Armoured Division from June 1996 to December 1996[7] and again from August 1998 to March 1999.[12]
Commanders were as follows: