Operation Tiger '94
The lion that turned into a tiger
Date
August 1994
Type
Offensive
Result
Commander
Atif Dudaković
Course of the Operation
Operation Tiger '94 was a brilliant military-intelligence action of the 5th Corps. The commander of the 502nd Brigade, Hamdija Abdić 'Tigar', with the approval of General Dudaković, pretended to defect to Fikret Abdić and lured him into a trap. On 21 August 1994, Velika Kladuša was liberated and the AP of Western Bosnia was temporarily dismantled. Fikret Abdić fled to Zagreb.
Key Facts
502nd Brigade commander pretended to defect - one of the boldest intelligence operations of the war
First fall of the AP of Western Bosnia
The operation was named after the nickname of commander Hamdija Abdić - 'Tiger'
Outcome
Velika Kladuša liberated, AP of Western Bosnia dismantled. However, in December 1994, renewed APZB forces with VRS help retook control.
Background
In August 1994, the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia (APZB) under Fikret Abdić controlled Velika Kladuša and the surrounding area. The 5th Corps prepared an operation to bring down this formation.
Course of the operation
Operation Tiger (Tigar) was based on a brave intelligence ploy. Hamdija Abdić “Tigar”, brother of Fikret Abdić, falsely defected to the APZB and infiltrated their ranks. When the 502nd Brigade under Atif Dudaković launched the attack on 21 August 1994, Hamdija provided key information that enabled the rapid liberation of Velika Kladuša.
Outcome
Velika Kladuša was liberated on 21 August 1994, temporarily dismantling the APZB and forcing Fikret Abdić to flee to Zagreb. However, in December 1994, the APZB, with the help of aggressor forces, retook Velika Kladuša.
Significance
Tiger ‘94 was one of the most successful intelligence and military operations of the 5th Corps. The first liberation of Velika Kladuša showed that the APZB was a fragile formation that could be defeated.
Sources
Data retrieved from 5korpus.com/operacije/tigar-94/
Details
502nd Knight Mountain Brigade, 505th Motorized Brigade
Elimination of the AP of Western Bosnia and liberation of Velika Kladuša
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