Croatian Defence Council
| Croatian Defence Council | |
|---|---|
| Hrvatsko vijeće obrane | |
| Leaders | Milivoj Petković Bruno Stojić Vladimir Šoljić Slobodan Praljak Ante Roso Tihomir Blaškić |
| Dates of operation | 1992–1996 |
| Allegiance | Herzeg-Bosnia |
| Headquarters | Mostar |
| Size | 50,000 (1995) |
| Allies | ARBiH (1991–1992, 1994–1995) HV |
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | |
| Flag | |
The Croatian Defence Council (Croatian: Hrvatsko vijeće obrane, HVO) was the armed wing of Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia. It existed in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1991 and 1996. The HVO was the main military force of the Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the initial stage of the Bosnian War, the HVO fought alongside the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) against the Army of Republika Srpska, but in the latter stage of the conflict clashed against radical islamists, particularly in the Mostar area. The European Community Monitoring Mission estimated the strength of the HVO in the beginning of 1993 at 45,000–55,000. In July 1993, the Central Intelligence Agency estimated the HVO forces at 40,000 to 50,000 men.
The HVO was incorporated into the Army of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VFBiH) in December 1995 by following the agreement made after signing the Dayton Accords. In December 2005, the HVO was reorganised as the 1st Infantry Guard Regiment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after VFBiH and Army of Republika Srpska were united into a single armed force.