Operation Munja '93 Explained

Conflict:Operation Munja '93
Place:Banjani Region
Date:January 11, 1993
Result:ARBiH victory
Combatant1: Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Commander1: Izet Nanić
Units1: 505th Buzim Brigade
Units2: 1st Novigrad Light Brigade
Commander2: Ranko Dabić
Casualties1:18 dead
Casualties2:163 dead
Several hundred wounded
Strength1:360 soldiers
Strength2:Unknown
Partof:the Bosnian War

Operation Munja 93 was a military operation conducted on January 11, 1993, by the 505th Bužim Brigade of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH). The operation aimed to regain control of the territory in the Banjani area from the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS).[1]

Background

Planned in secrecy during October 1992, the operation involved 360 armed fighters from the 505th Bužim Brigade divided into six groups. An additional 360 unarmed personnel followed behind the combat groups, tasked with evacuating casualties and collecting weapons from the dead or wounded. Opposing them was VRS's battalion of the 1st Novigrad Light Brigade, equipped with heavier weaponry than the ARBiH forces.

Operation

The main attack targeted Banjani and Dobro Selo. The operation commenced on January 11th with assaults on VRS bunkers, marked by the use of the phrase "Allahu Akbar".[2] Within two hours, the ARBiH inflicted a significant defeat on the VRS 1st Krajina Corps. By ten o'clock, most planned positions were secured, except for the Banjani school, which was captured two days later. VRS counterattacks using elite troops failed to retake any lost ground.

Aftermath

The 505th Bužim Brigade recaptured approximately 40km2 of territory during the operation. ARBiH losses amounted to 18 soldiers, 8 of whom died on the first day. VRS casualties included 163 confirmed deaths,[3] and several hundred wounded.[4] Operation Munja significantly bolstered the 505th Bužim Brigade's reputation, demonstrating their ability to prevail despite facing a force with superior weaponry.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eldar . 2022-07-13 . Operacija "Munja 93" - akcija koja je 505. bužimsku brigadu uzdigla u rang najelitnijih jedinica ARBiH . 2022-07-26 . BOSNAE . bs-BA . 2022-07-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726230311/https://bosnae.info/index.php/operacija-munja-93-akcija-koja-je-505-buzimsku-brigadu-uzdigla-u-rang-najelitnijih-jedinica-arbih-2 . live .
  2. Web site: Media . INAT . 2022-01-11 . Munja '93: Operacija koja je odredila pravac borbe Bužimljana . 2022-07-26 . INAT Portal za politiku, kulturu i društvo . bs . 2022-01-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220111113738/https://inat.ba/munja-93-operacija-koja-je-odredila-pravac-borbe-buzimljana . live .
  3. Web site: Elkasovic . Qlick by Nermin . 2017-01-24 . Munja '93 - priča o pobjedi nenaoružane Bosanske Vojske . 2022-07-26 . buzimljani.ba . bs-ba . 2022-07-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726230314/https://buzimljani.ba/munja-93-prica-o-pobjedi-nenaoruzane-bosanske-vojske/ . live .
  4. Web site: Redakcija . 2019-08-05 . Na Izeta se hiljade ljeta čekalo . 2022-07-26 . inmedia.ba . bs-BA . 2017-08-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170817024834/http://www.inmedia.ba/na-izeta-se-hiljade-ljeta-cekalo/ . live .
  5. Web site: Počela operacija "Munja '93" . 2022-07-26 . Historija.ba . bs . 2021-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210118080038/https://www.historija.ba/d/564-pocela-operacija-munja-93/ . live .