Two U.S. fighter jets are set to fly over Bosnia on Monday in a demonstration of support for the Balkan country鈥檚 integrity in the face of of the Bosnian Serb pro-Russia leader .
The U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons will fly as part of joint air-to-ground training involving American and Bosnian forces. The flyovers will take part in the regions of the eastern town of Tuzla and northern Brcko, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo.
鈥淭his bilateral training is an example of advanced military-to-military cooperation that contributes to peace and security in the Western Balkans as well as demonstrates the United States鈥� commitment to ensuring the territorial integrity of BiH (Bosnia-Herzegovina) in the face of 鈥� secessionist activity,鈥� the statement said.
鈥淭he United States has underscored that the BiH (Bosnia-Herzegovina) Constitution provides no right of secession, and it will act if anyone tries to change this basic element鈥� of the Dayton peace agreements that ended the 1992-95 war in the country, the statement added.
The ethnic conflict in the 1990s erupted because Bosnia鈥檚 Serbs wanted to create their own state and join neighboring Serbia. More than 100,000 people were killed before the war ended in a U.S.-brokered peace accord that created Serb and Bosniak-Croat entities held together by joint institutions.
Dodik, who is the president of the Serb entity called Republika Srpska, has defied U.S. and British sanctions over his policies. Backed by Russia, he has repeatedly threatened to split the Serb-run half from the rest of Bosnia.
On Tuesday, Dodik鈥檚 government plans to hold a celebration of a controversial national holiday that Bosnia鈥檚 top court has declared unlawful. On Jan. 9, 1992, Bosnian Serbs proclaimed the creation of an independent state in Bosnia, which led to the bloodshed.
Dodik has dismissed the U.S. jets鈥� flyover, ironically saying it would contribute to Tuesday鈥檚 celebrations, which routinely include a parade of armed police and their equipment.
The U.S. Embassy said that the mission also will be supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker that will provide aerial refuelling for the F-16s.
鈥淯.S. aircraft will return to base immediately following mission completion,鈥� it said. 鈥淭he ability to rapidly deploy, reach a target and return home demonstrates the United States鈥� ability to project power anywhere at a moment鈥檚 notice and operate alongside Allies and partners.鈥�
Western countries fear that Russia could to avert attention from , which was launched by Moscow nearly two years ago. The U.S. Embassy statement said that 鈥淏osnia and Herzegovina is a key U.S. partner with a shared goal in regional stability.鈥�
Bosnia is seeking entry into the European Union, but the effort has been stalled because of slow reform and inner divisions.
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