Another 500 EUFOR soldiers are arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will be stationed at the Butmir base near Sarajevo.

“Four companies, comprising approximately 500 personnel from EUFOR's reserves stationed outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be deployed, as a precautionary measure, in the country over the next two weeks to reinforce existing forces, in order to, more effectively support our BiH partners in maintaining a safe and secure environment,” a EUFOR statement said.

It said that “the deterioration of the security situation internationally has the potential to spread instability to Bosnia and Herzegovina” and that the deployment of these forces is a “precautionary measure to strengthen stability in BiH by positioning sufficient, capable forces in-country to support the BiH Government efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment.”

“Their mission will be to demonstrate the EU's determination to maintain stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a prudent and proportionate measure which reflects the EU's and EUFOR's unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” it said.

There are 600 troops currently in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of EUFOR's ALTHEA mission.