Today at EUFOR BiH HQ in Camp BUTMIR, a ceremony took place to mark the successful achievement of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by approximately 500 troops of EUFOR’s Intermediate Reserve consisting of four companies from Austria, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia. This IOC ceremony marked the successful completion of two weeks of intensive preparation and training, so that these troops are now operationally ready to support EUFORS’s BiH security partners in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all citizens.

Thursday 20th January 2022 marked the occasion of the Change of Command for COMEUFOR with Major General Alexander Platzer handing Command of EUFOR over to Major General Anton Wessely. The ceremony was attended by the Operational Commander for the EU’s Operation Althea Lieutenant General Brice Houdet and the EU Special Representative to BiH, H.E. Dr. Johann Sattler.

In light of the deteriorating security situation internationally and as a precautionary measure, the OP ALTHEA commander has accepted a voluntary national contribution from France to conduct fast-jet training flights over BiH over the coming weeks.

EUFOR can confirm that COMEUFOR has received an official letter from a member of the BiH Presidency requesting EUFOR air assets, should such assets be available, to assist with combating the wild fires in the country.

Four companies, comprising approximately 500 personnel from EUFOR's reserves stationed outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be deployed, as a precautionary measure, in the country over the next two weeks to reinforce existing forces, in order to, more effectively support our BiH partners in maintaining a safe and secure environment.

EUFOR is aware of a number of online articles pertaining to Ukrainian participation in EUFOR Op ALTHEA in BiH and Ukrainian troops already in transit.