The Croatian Armed Forces in the EU-, NATO- and the UN-led peace operations
By participating in the international missions and operations the Croatian Armed Forces have contributed to the global peace, stability and security.
The Republic of Croatia has been recognised as a country committed to peacemaking and keeping. Its first engagement dates to 1999, with the engagement of ten military observers from the Croatian Armed Forces to UNAMSIL, Sierra Leone, continued with the deployments to NATO and the EU-led operations.
The participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in peace operations is regulated by the Decision of the Croatian Parliament, at the proposal of the Government of Croatia and with prior approval of the President of the Republic.
Through continued participation in the peace operations the Croatian Armed Forces also extend their contribution to the global stability and peace.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – ATALANTA
In view of the aggressive attacks by the pirates on merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden, the UN Security Council passed the Resolution 1814, officially requesting the protection of vessels delivering the humanitarian aid to Somalia within the World Food Programme) and others passing through the area of operations, as well as deterrence, protection and repressing of the acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast in Somalia. The Operation ATALANTA is a part of the comprehensive initiative by the European Union resolving the crisis in Somalia, with the emphasis placed on the political, security and humanitarian aspects.
The Republic of Croatia joined the Operation ATALANTA in July 2009, with the assignment of an officer of the Croatian Navy aboard the French frigate of the La Fayette F 713 class "Aconit". It was a bilaterally agreed one-term deployment, without planned rotations. Other assignments were also conducted based on the bilateral agreements with the countries stating the interest in hosting Croatian officers aboard their vessels.
Unlike the hostings, agreed in bilateral agreements with the partner countries and occasionally, the assignment of the Croatian personnel to the ATALANTA Operation Headquarters (Operations Analyst the CJ-5) in Northwood, the UK has been going in regular 6-month rotations since 10 August 2009.
From 22 December 2014 to mid-April 2015 the Croatian Navy deployed its first 12-member Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) to ATALANTA, and the 2nd team (with 12 members too) served from mid-October 2016 to early January 2017. The Decision of the Croatian Parliament of November 2016 authorises the deployment of up to 25 members of the Croatian Armed Forces to the EU NAVFOR Somalia - ATALANTA in 2017, with the on a rotating basis.
Presently one member of the Croatian Armed Forces is assigned to the ATALANTA Operational Headquarters in Northwood, UK.
Learn more
Gallery
Operation KFOR Kosovo
The Operation KFOR was established based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of June 1999, with the mandate to support stability and peace.in Kosovo to enable procuring of a sustainable political solution.
The KFOR role is also to assist the development of the Kosovo Security Force as a professional multi-ethnic force, dedicating due attention to the protection of minorities and protection of cultural heritage.
The Croatian Armed Forces joined KFOR pursuant to the Decision of the Croatian Parliament on the deployment of the first HRVCON (20 members and 2 Mi-171Sh transport helicopters). The HRVCON is tasked with the transportation of KFOR troops, VIPs and cargo. Its air component is stationed in the Base Bondsteel in Uroševac/Ferizaj, and is directly subordinated to KFOR Commander. The Croatian personnel is also assigned to the KFOR Headquarters and to NALT team, stationed in the "Film City", KFOR HQ in Priština. The Decision of the Croatian Parliament authorises the deployment of up to 40 members of the Croatian Armed Forces, operating two helicopters of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence on a rotating basis in the year 2017.
Presently the 25st HRVCON is deployed to KFOR, with 33 members of the Croatian Armed Forces equipped with two helicopters.
Learn more
Video
Gallery
Resolute Support Mission
The Resolute Support Mission was launched on 1 January 2015, pursuant to the UN SC Resolution 2189.
The Croatian contingents have been assigned with force protection, staff duties, advisory duties, mentoring of the members of the Afghanistan National Security Force and national support. HRVCONs also comprise the members of the armed forces of the U.S. – Adriatic Charter nations (Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia).
The Croatian Armed Forces have participated in ISAF since 2003, when a Military Police platoon was deployed to Afghanistan and remained there until the completion of the Operation in 2014, engaging nearly 4,500 members assigned with various duties – advisory tasks, mentoring, protection of persons and facilities. Croatia continued its contribution to Afghanistan through Resolute Support.
The Decision of the Croatian Parliament of 25 November 2016 on the participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan authorises the deployment of up to 100 members of the Croatian Armed Forces in 2017, on a rotating basis.
The 7th HRVCON is presently deployed to Resolute Support Mission. It is composed of 98 members of the Croatian Armed Forces and 28 members of the partner nations armed forces. The Contingent Commander is Colonel Željko Ljubas.
The members of the 6th HRVCON are assigned to the teams advising the Afghanistan National Defence Security Force, to the team protection forces and to staff duties in the Train Advise Assist Command -North (TAAC-N) and NATO Command in Kabul.
Learn more
Video
Gallery
MINURSO
The UN Security Council Resolution No 690, dated 29 April 1991 launched the MINURSO, aimet at providing the conditions to enable a free and impartial referendum in Western Sahara and the release of its results.
The mandate includes the monitoring of ceasefire, verification of the reduction of Moroccan troops in the territory, monitoring the confinement of Moroccan and Frente POLISARIO troops to designated locations; overseeing the exchange of prisoners of war (International Committee of the Red Cross), the implementation of the repatriation programme, identification and registration of qualified voters; organisation of a free and fair referendum and proclaiming its results and reduction of the threat of mines and unexploded ordnances;
The UN Security Council Resolution 2285 of 29 April 2016 extended the mandate of the operation until 30 April 2017.
The members of the Croatian Armed Forces have been engaged to MINURSO as military observers since December 2002. The respective Decision of the Croatian Parliament of the engagement of the Members of the Croatian Armed Forces to UN peace support operations of 25 November 2016 authorises the deployment of up to eight members to the mission.
Presently 7 members are engaged in the Operation as military observers.
Learn more
Gallery
UNMOGIP
The UN SC Resolution 39 dated 17 January 1949 established the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), to monitor along the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan, observing and reporting on the violations of the ceasefire in line with the Resolution.
The UNMOGIP mandate entails strict monitoring of the ceasefire and refraining from hostilities in all areas of conflict. The ceasefire and cessation of hostilities needs to remain in effect until all armed forces had withdrawn to their respective territories and to positions which fully respected the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir supervised by UNMOGIP.
In view of the disagreement between India and Pakistan on the mandate UNMOGIP’s mandate and functions, the Secretary-General’s position has been that UNMOGIP can only be terminated by a decision of the Security Council. In the absence of such a decision, UNMOGIP has been maintained with those same arrangements since then.
The members of the Croatian Armed Forces have been engaged to UNMOGIP since August 2002 as military observers. Presently 10 members of the Croatian Armed Forces are engaged as military observers. The Decision of the Croatian Parliament of November 2016 autorises the engagement of up to ten members of the Croatian Armed Forces in UNMOGIP in 2017.
Learn more
Gallery
UNIFIL
The UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) was proclaimed in March 1978, pursuant to the UN Resolutions 425 and 426. These were superseded by the Resolution 1701 passed by the UN Security Council in early August 2006, expanding the mandate to include monitoring of the ceasefire between the sides in conflict, the intermediation between Lebanon and Israel, humanitarian activities related to safe and voluntary return of displaced persons, the assistance to the Lebanese security forces to establish a zone between the Blue Line and the Litani river free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL deployed in this area and to prevent the entry of arms or related materiel in Lebanon without consent of the Government of Lebanon. The UN Security Council on 30 August 2016 adopted the Resolution 2305 extending the mandate to UNIFIL to late August 2017.
The members of the Croatian Armed Forces have been engaged to UNIFIL since July 2007 as staff officers and since 2013 as liaison officers respectively. The Decision of the Croatian Parliament of November 2016 authorises the engagement of up to five members of the Croatian Armed Forces in UNIFIL in 2017.
Presently one member is engaged to the mission, as liaison officer.
Learn more
Gallery
EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA
The Croatian Parliament on 30 June 2017 adopted the Decision on the Participation of Members of the Croatian Armed Forces in the EU-led Operation EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA“.
In the course of 2017 and 2018 up to three members of the Croatian Armed Forces will take part in the EU-led EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA in the Southern Central Mediterranean, and thus directly contribute to the development of the EU crisis management capabilities, particularly in tackling illegal migrations in the area.
Presently one member of the Croatian Armed Forces is engaged on the EU-led EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA Flagship.