Operation Essential Harvest

Operation Essential Harvest (or Task Force Harvest) was a deployment mission in the Republic of Macedonia by NATO, officially launched on August 22, 2001, and effectively started on August 27.[1] Because national contributions were larger than expected, the force ultimately grew to approximately 4,800 troops. Troops from 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, 9 Parachute Squadron RE and members of the SAS working in the A.O.R. The operation was headquartered in a fruit processing plant called Tri Kruši in Dracevo.[2]

Background

"Although France was not a member of the NATO integrated command structure, then President Chirac had begun to reintegrate into the military structure of the Alliance in order to allow for French participation in combined operations in Bosnia under NATO command. . . . At the summit in Freiburg on 12 June, Chirac's suggestion for military cooperation with German units within NATO was confirmed by Schröder and put in place by the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries on 5 July. Both countries cooperated in NATO Operation Essential Harvest – two German, two French and one Spanish companies were placed under the overall French Command."[3]

Battle of Tetovo

The Battle of Tetovo occurred in the beginning of January 2001 which also involved NATO and the Macedonian Armies to disarm Albanian insurgents who had occupied a number of cities, towns and villages in the Republic of Macedonia. This battle lasted until November 2001.[4]

During the operation, Sapper Ian Collins of 9 Parachute Squadron RE was killed when a concrete block thrown at his vehicle by Macedonian youths struck him on the head.[5]

Operation Amber Fox

Following the conclusion of Operation Essential Harvest and at the request of the Macedonian President, NATO established Operation Amber Fox, to allow for a continuing NATO presence in the country.

See also

  • 2001 insurgency in Macedonia
  • Operation Amber Fox

References

  1. ^ "NATO launches Macedonia mission". Daily Telegraph. 22 August 2001.
  2. ^ "The Dutch contribution to Operation Essential Harvest in Macedonia". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  3. ^ Gross, Eva (2009). The Europeanization of National Foreign Policy: Continuity and Change in European Crisis Management. Palgrave. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-230-21716-4.
  4. ^ Phillips, John (2004). Macedonia: Warlords and Rebels in the Balkans. New York: I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd. ISBN 1-86064-841-X. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
  5. ^ "CNN.com - UK soldier killed in Macedonia - August 27, 2001". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 23 February 2024.

Further reading

  • Press Briefing held on 12 September 2001 at the NATO Press Centre in Skopje. NATO.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Yugoslav Wars
Wars and conflicts
Background
Anti-war protests
Ex-Yugoslav republics
Unrecognized entities
United Nations protectorate
Armies
Military formations and volunteers
External factors
Politicians
Top military commanders
Other notable commanders
Key foreign figures
partially recognized states
  • v
  • t
  • e
Part of the Yugoslav Wars
Prelude
1991
1992
1993–94
1995
Internment camps
Other
  • Category
  • Commons
  • v
  • t
  • e
Part of the Yugoslav Wars
Belligerents
Bosniak side
Croat side
Serb side
Western Bosnian side
Prelude
1992
1993
1994
1995
Internment camps
Aspects
  • v
  • t
  • e
Overview
Background
Events and actors
  • v
  • t
  • e
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Independence referendums in Yugoslavia
Republics and provinces
Autonomy
Consequences
Nationalism
  • Category
  • Category
  • Commons