Izetbegović calls for unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bakir Izetbegović, leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Party of Democratic Action (SDA), has called for unity and warned against internal divisions during a commemorative event in Mostar.
Izetbegović attended the closing program of the “From Truth to the Future” event in Mostar on Saturday evening, held to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Independent Gacko Battalion “Šargan.”
In his speech, Izetbegović thanked the organizers and participants for preserving the memory of those who risked their lives defending Bosnia and Herzegovina during the country's war.
He praised the wartime fighters for what he described as an extraordinary achievement, saying that their actions during four years of conflict demonstrated exceptional courage and determination.
“Either you fall or you get back up and remain standing,” Izetbegović said, emphasizing that the country survived because of the bravery of its defenders and the trust that people placed in their leaders.
Remembering the “miracle of the Bosnian resistance”
Izetbegović recalled that his father, Aliya Izetbegović, the first president of independent Bosnia and Herzegovina, described the country's resistance to the attack as the “miracle of the Bosnian resistance.”
He argued that no military or political analysis at the time would have predicted Bosnia and Herzegovina's ability to withstand the conflict.
“Military, political or any other analysis gave us no chance. It really was the miracle of the Bosnian resistance,” he said, adding that the country should remember this period with pride.
Izetbegović also argued that the forces that attacked Bosnia and Herzegovina had not abandoned their objectives and urged citizens to preserve unity.
“Let us protect our unity”
Acknowledging political and social differences within the country, Izetbegović called on Bosnians to avoid allowing those differences to become a source of division.
“There are differences among us, but we all love this people and this country,” he said.
He warned that attempts to create divisions within society could pose a greater danger than external attacks or blockades.
“Let us not allow seeds of division to be planted among us. This is more dangerous than any attack or blockade. Let us protect our unity,” Izetbegović said.
The event also featured the presentation of a monograph on the Independent Gacko Battalion, prepared by Sanel Idrizović.
Remembering the Šargan Battalion
The Šargan Battalion was established in 1992 with fighters from the Gacko region and became one of the important units of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Operating as part of units in the Herzegovina region, the battalion took part in the defense of Mostar and Herzegovina during some of the most difficult periods of the war.
The commemorative event brought together participants and organizers seeking to preserve the memory of the battalion and the wartime defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
