Implementation schedule

Implementation Schedule

The advance enabling force of 2,600 troops began deploying to Bosnia and Croatia on 2 December 1995. Their task was to establish the headquarters, communications and logistics necessary to receive the main body of 60,000 IFOR troops being deployed to the area.

The deployment of the main body of troops was activated on 16 December, after final approval by the North Atlantic Council of the Operational Plan (OPLAN), and the UN Security Council's Resolution 1031 of 15 December, authorizing the IFOR's mission under Chapter VII (peace enforcement) of the UN Charter.

The transfer of authority from the Commander of UN Peace Forces to the Commander of IFOR took place on 20 December, 96 hours after the NATO Council's approval of the main deployment. On that day, all NATO and non-NATO forces participating in the operation came under the command and/or control of the IFOR Commander. IFOR is securing conditions for the safe, orderly and timely withdrawal of remaining UN forces not coming under NATO command and/or control. The IFOR is expected to be largely established before the end of February 1996.