OPERATION „KOVERAT” – AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO CRUSH THE FORCES OF THE SARAJEVO-ROMANIJA CORPS OF THE ARMY OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AT THE END OF 1992

Abstract

At the end of December 1992, a major offensive operation was launched by the forces of the so-called Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the main objective of which was the „deblockade of Sarajevo”. Extensive preparations were made for this operation, involving the highest political and military leadership of the Muslim people. The command structures of the Army of Republika Srpska learned about these preparations and the operation plan within a relatively short period, which significantly contributed to the efficient organization of defense. In order to preempt the opposing side, members of the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps launched an attack at the beginning of December 1992, liberating Otes, one of the Sarajevo neighborhoods that had until then served as an important stronghold of the Muslim forces. In Operation „Koverat”, the forces of the so-called Army of Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved certain tactical successes; however, its main objective was not realized. The aim of the paper was to present the preparations for the operation, its course, as well as the consequences it produced, especially regarding the conflicts within the command structures of the Muslim formations.