Introduction:

Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties signed a peace agreement that brought to a halt the three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government was charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republican Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing internal functions. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFOR remains in place although troop levels were reduced to approximately 12,000 by the close of 2002.

Zvornik - The town is located in Republika Srpska (RS), 75 kilometres northeast of Sarajevo, on the left bank of the Drina River. Two bridges connect it directly with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). The city, one of the oldest in BiH, is situated on an important crossroads. It links Sarajevo to Belgrade (FRY), and Srebrenica with Tuzla. From time immemorial this was a place of exchange and of trade, but also of confrontation. The region was hotly contested during the war. The town council estimates that the Zvornik municipality has 55,000 inhabitants, of whom 25,000 are DPs.
A low PLIP ratio
Until a while ago, the area was considered a "black spot." The Property Law Implementation Plan (PLIP) was not being applied; returns were near non-existent and there were sharp tensions between Bosnian-Serbs, who are in the majority, and Bosniacs. Here again, security problems have appeared. In January 2001, Bosnians returnees' were shot at. Last year, minor incidents occurred, so SFOR maintains a strong presence. SFOR now gives specific attention to this area.

Stabilization Force members nations are:

Turkey, Portugal, Denmark, United States and non aligned Russian Federation. There area of responsibility is
Multinational Brigade North (MNB-N) and the contested village of Zvornik. Their mission is to act as a buffer between Bosnian and Bosnian-Serbs who claim Zvornik as their ancestral home for centuries. Right a cross the border lies a very large battle harden Serb army itching for a fight for a claim of their ancestral home.

SFOR intelligence indicates that this Serbian unit has been responsible for local skirmishes that have recently been flaring up in and around Zvornik. There is also indications that this Serb unit has been receiving help from a rogue former Soviet Spetsnaz unit led by the infamous General Misha, who recently fled Irag after engaging U.S. Rangers in the Zagros Mountains.
The U.S. 11th Cavalry has dispatched "C" Troop to Zvornik to help SFOR strength.
Will the Serbs launch an all out attack on Zvornik before Charlie Companies Armor arrives? Will a new chapter be written in this decade old battle for Bosnia?

Let the battle begin


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