Serbia's military service revival fuels regional tensions

In an interview with the Serbian daily "Večernje Novosti," Dodik expressed satisfaction with Belgrade's decision. "I am pleased that Serbia has chosen to implement mandatory military service. We are currently exploring how our young men from the Republic of Srpska can participate in regular military service in Serbia," the president said.

He also aimed to provide incentives for young men who choose this path. "We will explore how we can offer faster employment or other benefits to those who opt for this," Dodik added.

The president noted that strengthening Serbia’s military capabilities is crucial for the region. "It is important for the Republic of Srpska that Serbia bolsters its military strength and is capable of deterring any military alliances, including NATO, from potential interference," he stated.

Dodik expressed complete support for the authorities in Belgrade. "The leaders of Serbia and President Aleksandar Vučić have my unconditional support. It is a responsible team that addresses all the key national and state issues and makes decisions on that basis," he concluded.

On September 20, the Serbian government initiated actions to reinstate mandatory military service. According to the proposals, the service for men would last approximately three months, while it would remain voluntary for women. Mandatory military service in Serbia was abolished in 2011. Croatia has also made a similar decision to reinstate service from 2025.

The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, established in 2006 after the merger of the armies of the country's two administrative units under the Dayton Agreement of 1995, comprise about 10,000 professional soldiers, 5,000 reservists, and 1,000 civilian employees.