Bosnian mujahideen
| El Mudžahid | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1992–95 |
| Country |
 Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
| Allegiance |
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
| Branch | Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 300–6,000 fighters |
| Colors | Black, white, green |
| Mascot(s) | Scimitar |
| Equipment | AK-47, PKM, various surplus Eastern Bloc and civilian weapons such as hunting rifles and shotguns |
| Engagements |
|
| Disbanded | 1995 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Sakib Mahmuljin Amir Kubura Abu Abdel Aziz Barbarossa Abu Mali Adil al-Ghanim † |
Bosnian mujahideen (Bosnian: Bosanski mudžahidi), also called El Mudžahid, were foreign Muslim volunteers who fought on the Bosniak side during the 1992–95 Bosnian War. They arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim of fighting for Islam and on behalf of Muslims.
Some originally went as humanitarian workers, while some of them were considered criminals in their home countries for illegally travelling to Bosnia and becoming soldiers. The number of volunteers is still disputed, with estimates varying from initially around 300 to 6,000 fighters by 1995.
Secret discussions between Franjo Tuđman and Slobodan Milošević reportedly about the partition of Bosnia and Herzegovina between Serbia and Croatia were held as early as March 1991 at the Karađorđevo meeting. Following the declaration of independence of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbs attacked different parts of the country. The state administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina effectively ceased to function, having lost control over the entire territory. The Serbs wanted all lands where Serbs had a majority, mainly eastern and western Bosnia. The Croats and their leader Tuđman also aimed at securing parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina as Croatian. The Bosnian government forces were poorly equipped and unprepared for the war.
On September 25, 1991 the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 713 imposing an arms embargo on all of former Yugoslavia. The embargo hurt the Bosnian Army the most because Serbia inherited much of the former Yugoslav People's Army arsenal and the Croatian army could smuggle weapons easily through its ports.
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