'PATRIOTSKA LIGA' - Patriotic League Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Patriotic League was the first organization to clearly recognize, even before the wars in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina began, the necessity of preparing an organized and structured response to a potential aggression by the Yugoslav-Serbian forces.

The father of the Patriotic League was Alija Izetbegović, founder of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among the most prominent figures was Hasan Čengić, whose contributions to the Patriotic League and the Bosnian state will be fully understood only in retrospect.

The Patriotic League trained, organized, and armed the Party of Democratic Action, effectively serving as its military wing. It was formally established as a political-military organization on March 31, 1991, although its roots trace back to the SDA club “Herceg-Bosna,” founded at the end of 1990.

The name “Patriotic League” was coined within the SDA framework, in agreement with Hasan Čengić, Rusmir Mahmutćehajić, and other party leaders. The first officer to leave the former JNA and place himself at the service of his people through the SDA was Sulejman Vranj – Sule.

The Patriotic League operated as a secret organization: even many SDA members were unaware of its existence and activities.

The SDA Club “Herceg-Bosna”

At the end of 1990, the SDA club “Herceg-Bosna” was founded by decision of the SDA Central Committee.

The board of directors was chaired by Dr. Naim Kadić, with Nihad Halilbegović as secretary, Sead Halilbašić as administrator, and Harun Imamović as director of the company “Herceg-Bosna.” The board also included Safet Isović, Bakir Tanović, Muhamed Kreševljaković, Muhamed Saračević, Avdija Hadrović, Omer Pobrić, Muhamed Zlatar, and Mustafa Hafizović.

Through the club’s activities, an analysis of the political-security situation was conducted, and measures for informing and mobilizing the population in the event of war were proposed. The club hosted a permanent arms production facility, distributing weapons to field activists, while storing additional arms, ammunition, and explosives in its warehouses.

On one occasion, the activation of a “Zolja” caused significant material damage and seriously injured Sead Halilbašić and Harun Imamović. The KOS intervened immediately through its personnel within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The club also served as a gathering point for patriots. Secret meetings with former JNA officers were held there, collaboration was coordinated, and assistance was provided. At the invitation of the President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, important meetings were held to connect Bosniak intellectuals.

Formation of the Political-Military Organization

In March 1991, the SDA city committee, on orders from the party’s central leadership, decided to form a political-military organization composed of representatives from the executive committee and other SDA activists from Sarajevo.

The first meeting took place on March 31, 1991, at the Soukbunar Mosque. This marked the origin of an organization that would later become known as the Patriotic League.

During these meetings, crucial decisions were made regarding the League’s future work and the country’s defense, including the establishment of the Patriotic League General Staff, the oath text, and other fundamental documents.

The city-level General Staff was composed of representatives from municipal-level General Staffs and was directed by Nihad Halilbegović: this was the first General Staff of the Patriotic League established in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Expansion and Organization

At the beginning of May 1991, following a proposal from the SDA Central Committee through the Hasan Čengić – Nihad Halilbegović channel, the General Staff reviewed and approved two documents in which the name “Patriotic League” was mentioned in writing for the first time.

Numerous meetings were held at Nihad Halilbegović’s location and other secure sites, involving representatives from Sarajevo and surrounding municipalities: Novi Grad, Novo Sarajevo, Ilidža, Hadžići, Vogošća, Ilijaš, Trnovo, Sokolac, and Kaljina.

Nihad Halilbegović acted as the SDA city committee representative, while Faid Hećo served as the first officer – commander of the Sarajevo Regional General Staff.

The first decision of the political-military organization was that the Bosniak population should organize and prepare to defend the country. Municipal and local General Staffs were established, coordinated by the city-level General Staff.

This structure allowed Bosnia and Herzegovina to resist, avoid a rapid defeat, and lay the foundations for the subsequent formation of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.