In a demonstration of U.S. support for Bosnia’s territorial integrity against “secessionist activity” by Serbs, two F-16 fighter jets are set to fly over Bosnia on Monday. The overflight is part of bilateral air-to-ground training with Bosnia’s national armed forces in regions of the Balkan country not under Serb control. The move responds to renewed separatist efforts by Milorad Dodik, the nationalist leader of Bosnia’s Serb region, who advocates secession and alignment with Serbia.
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo stated that the training exemplifies advanced military cooperation contributing to peace and security in the Western Balkans. It also emphasizes the United States’ commitment to safeguarding Bosnia-Herzegovina’s territorial integrity against anti-Dayton and secessionist activities.
Washington played a pivotal role in brokering the Dayton deal that ended Bosnia’s 1992-95 war, dividing the country into the Serb Republic and a Federation shared by Croats and Bosniaks. The embassy underscored that Bosnia-Herzegovina’s constitution prohibits secession, and the U.S. will take action against any attempt to alter this fundamental aspect of the Dayton Agreement.
The Bosnian Serbs plan to celebrate their self-proclaimed statehood day on Monday evening, despite its ban by Bosnia’s constitutional court as discriminatory. A parade of police and special forces is scheduled for Tuesday. Milorad Dodik faces charges at the Sarajevo state court for signing legislation suspending decisions of the constitutional court and the international envoy overseeing Dayton accord implementation. His trial, initially set for December 20, was adjourned until January 20 due to procedural issues raised by his legal team, with Dodik refusing to enter a plea.
