In parts of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) controlled by Bosniak political structures and the SDA’s para-intelligence network, a system has been developed and numerous organizations have been formed based on the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood—serving as replicas of the former “Patriotic League” and “Green Berets.”
Sources from Glas Srpske close to intelligence circles warn that, in addition to the youth wings of the “Green Berets” and the “Patriotic League” in FBiH, a large number of informal groups, agencies, and clubs operate under the umbrella of the SDA’s parallel intelligence structure and with the support of segments of the Islamic Community. These groups cultivate the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, an extremist organization banned in many countries.
According to the sources, these groups include a significant number of individuals labeled as Islamic extremists. Intelligence findings indicate that within these agencies, groups, and clubs, special moral-religious training based on the Qur’an is conducted, along with paramilitary exercises. Activities are often organized through individual airsoft clubs and hunting associations, serving as forms of military preparation in the event of a conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The same sources state that one of the goals of the SDA and its affiliated groups is to regain control over the Intelligence-Security Agency of BiH in the coming period, so that such activities can continue unhindered. They add that these activities are becoming increasingly brazen, as shown in the recent case of an airsoft “competition” in Bugojno featuring wartime symbolism.
This case reignited attention to a 2023 European Commission report titled “Violent Extremism and Sports in the Western Balkans.” The report highlights the misuse of martial arts and airsoft clubs by Islamic extremists, noting that this phenomenon is especially prominent in FBiH, where a large number of airsoft clubs are registered.
A real problem
Sources from Glas Srpske state that this document clearly indicates a problem within FBiH and a real threat posed by radical Islamists. They believe the situation is far more complex than it appears and that it is time to sound the alarm, as the Bugojno case is only one among many. According to the same sources, special scrutiny should be directed toward the informal group “Panthers,” controlled by Ahmed D., as well as the Tuzla security agency “Flek,” led by Salko Z., a follower of Wahhabism and a member of the SDA Main Board. The agency also has a branch in Goražde, where most employees belong to the Wahhabi movement.
Also under surveillance is the Practical Shooting Club “Velež” from Mostar, headed by SDA official Jafer A. According to intelligence, he organized Wahhabi training sessions at the “Livač” barracks near Mostar, attended by minors and foreign nationals.
In this context, the Sarajevo association “Gazije” is also mentioned. Although officially registered as a martial arts club, it is run by Tarik K., closely tied to wartime commander of the former Army of BiH Fikret Prevljak, “Golden Lily” holder Muhamed Šabanović, and former OSA director Osman Mehmedagić. The association’s motto reads: “Even my blood, for my Bosnia.” Within it also operates the airsoft club “Gazije” from Ilijaš.
Also on the list are the “Askers” from Sarajevo—an association directly controlled by Naser Orić, which frequently organizes paramilitary gatherings for children and youth. They are monitored by several foreign intelligence services, including EUFOR. The airsoft club “Igman 35” from Sarajevo is also mentioned, which, according to intelligence, organizes semi-military training on Igman and Bjelašnica for young participants, focused on moral-religious lectures and “survival in hostile environments.” This club is considered an extension of the Askers.
Additional clubs on the list include “Barjaktar” and “Stalker” from Kakanj, “Plumbub” from Olovo, “Car” from Visoko, and “Coyotes” from Sanski Most. All are reported to have strong ties with Orić and the Askers, as does the airsoft club “Green Birds” from Žepče, which has a branch in Doboj-East. It is led by Elvir T., closely linked to the Wahhabi community in Ošve near Maglaj and to Nusret Imamović—one of the world’s most wanted Islamic terrorists.
The club also maintains close connections with the mountaineering society “Bistrica” from Livno, which organized multiple airsoft events attended by Wahhabis from the area. The list further includes the clubs “Wolves,” “Parabellum,” and “Pušinci” from Zavidovići, “Spartan” from Maglaj, and “Orion,” “Phoenix,” “Pobjeda Feth,” and “Falcon” from Tešanj, all of which receive material and political support from Šemsudin Mehmedović, a former prominent SDA official.
Also mentioned is the airsoft club “Podrinjci” from Goražde, headed by Admir K., a member of the BiH Armed Forces. He operates within the “Green Berets” association of Goražde and maintains close ties with the Askers. There is also the “Hercegovac” club from Mostar, operating within the “Bosnia – Green Berets” association, which is also connected to Jafer A.
In Zenica, several clubs fall under the patronage of Dženis Imširović and Adnan Smajić, who, based on their past activities, closely cooperate with the Askers and the Green Birds. In Tuzla, these include the clubs “Sigma,” “Saltik,” “One,” “Desperados,” and “Black Berets.” In Živinice, they include “Red Dot” and “B-Unit,” while in Tešanj the club “Task” is highlighted. All of these groups, according to available information, maintain links with Naser Orić.
According to findings so far, airsoft clubs tied to the Askers and Orić follow the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, while clubs under the “Green Birds” are associated with followers of Nusret Imamović, the former leader of the Wahhabi movement in BiH. Both groups share loyalty to a vision of a “Muslim Bosnia,” promoting a specific model of moral-political indoctrination and the idea of sacrifice.
Particularly concerning is that groups aligned with the Askers and Orić reportedly enjoy informal protection from FBiH Minister of Interior Ramo Isak. Orić is also considered the informal leader of the “Black Swans” association, whose formal president is Avdo S. Another worrying development is that children from elementary and high schools, through the Scout Association of FBiH, are being introduced to nature camp activities that would be harmless on their own, were they not accompanied by religious-moral instruction.
Hunters
Sources from Glas Srpske also recall a statement by SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović, who said that FBiH has around 100,000 armed hunters and that lists of militarily capable individuals are being prepared alongside various forms of paramilitary training. According to available intelligence, these lists separate individuals with wartime or military experience—from soldiers to NCOs and officers. Intelligence assessments suggest that the SDA’s parallel intelligence and security networks are broader and more developed than publicly known. Numerous European reports, including the 2023 European Commission report, point to the same concerns. If European institutions are discussing this, the sources say, the situation is far from harmless.
Security expert Dragomir Keserović agrees, noting that the existence of various para-religious communities, organizations, and clubs has been ignored for decades, despite the fact that they represent a potential danger. He emphasizes that the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood and Wahhabism never truly disappeared from BiH, particularly within FBiH and Bosniak political elites.
Keserović adds that Bosniak elites have never hidden their desire for a unitary state—their “own Bosnia”—and that they are prepared to fight for it again. These messages, he warns, are becoming louder as paramilitary structures grow stronger and more widespread. The most concerning aspect, he says, are statements by some Bosniak officials suggesting they will “achieve their goals sooner or later.” He believes that former members of the AID, the wartime Muslim intelligence service, also play a significant role. Another serious problem, he notes, is the indoctrination of youth, who are exposed to dangerous ideas, with older individuals serving as mentors. He warns that these issues must not be ignored, especially since at closed meetings of certain Bosniak political parties one can often hear references to new “storms” against Serbs.
Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood is the largest and most influential Sunni Islamist organization. Numerous terrorist groups, including Hamas, originated from it. Connections between individuals in BiH and the organization date back to the 1940s, with the establishment of the “Young Muslims” group. A recent report by the organization Globsec also points to this. Their research notes that the Muslim Brotherhood gained strength in BiH after the founding of the SDA. Current SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović has, on several occasions, greeted crowds using the four-finger salute associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. The organization is on the terrorist lists of numerous states, and former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to designate it a terrorist organization as well.
Recruiting youth
Europol recently uncovered more than 2,000 online portals spreading jihadist and extremist propaganda aimed at recruiting minors in several European countries, including BiH. The agency warned that terrorist groups increasingly target youth by exploiting their vulnerabilities. The propaganda often includes images of children paired with extremist messages, as well as guides for radicalized parents on how to raise future jihadists.
Source: Glas Srpske
