Britain Deploys Additional Peacekeeping Troops to Bosnia-Herzegovina

Strategic Insights -

Britain has agreed to send 900 additional peacekeeping troops to Bosnia-Herzegovina to help maintain fragile ceasefires and buffer front-line positions. The deployment is part of a broader effort to forge a lasting peace in the former Yugoslav republic. The new troops, from the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, will arrive in the Croatian port of Split by midnight Thursday, with the first contingent setting off within the next 24 hours.

Key Takeaways:

  • Britain will send 900 additional peacekeeping troops to Bosnia-Herzegovina to help maintain fragile ceasefires and buffer front-line positions.
  • The deployment is part of a broader effort to forge a lasting peace in the former Yugoslav republic.
  • The new troops will be from the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, based in Wiltshire, southern England.
  • The deployment comes in response to a request from Lt. Gen. Michael Rose, commander of U.N. forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina, who appealed for reinforcements.
  • The United Nations needs nearly 11,000 more troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina on top of the 13,000 already deployed.
  • Britain currently has around 2,300 troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina and is the second-largest contributor behind France, which has sent 6,000 soldiers.
  • France has announced it will send an additional battalion of 800 U.N. troops to Sarajevo to help restore essential services.

Statistics:

  • 900: the number of additional peacekeeping troops Britain will deploy to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • 2,300: the number of British troops currently deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • 6,000: the number of French soldiers deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, making France the largest contributor.
  • 13,000: the number of U.N. troops currently deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • 11,000: the number of additional U.N. troops needed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to Yasushi Akashi, U.N. chief in Bosnia.
  • 800: the number of additional U.N. troops France will send to Sarajevo.

Sources:

  • [LONDON, March 10 Britain agreed Thursday to send 900 additional peacekeeping troops to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BBC News)]