Patriotic League (Bosnia and Herzegovina)


The Patriotic League was the first paramilitary unit of Territorial Defence Force of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

History

On December 19, 1990 Alija Izetbegović and the SDA party discussed forming an independent paramilitary separate from the Yugoslav People's Army. In March 1991 Sefer Halilović formed the Patriotic League as an independent Bosnian army, with the same territorial organization as Territorial Defense Forces. Later on the Patriotic League was connected to the TO. The Patriotic League, alongside the TORBIH, would later become the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Training

The Patriotic League received training at Croatian Special Police centers and by March 1992 claimed 98,000 troops – more than the shrinking TO – organized in 9 regions and 103 districts.

Units