[12] However, from the very beginning, its development and organizational structure also reflected an effort to achieve a strategic balance of political power between the Yugoslav federation and its constituent republics and provinces.

[13] The Territorial Defense of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina maintained a very small peacetime core, consisting of just 1,403 personnel across the entire country.

[15][16] This transition established a new headquarters, retained the existing Territorial Defense units and structures, and simultaneously marked the beginning of a new phase in its development.

While maintaining legal and historical continuity, this shift signified a critical reorganization to address the growing demands of the war.

Following the declaration of imminent danger of war and the subsequent partial mobilization based on the Presidency's decisions, a mass enrollment of volunteers into the Territorial Defense began.

However, a significant number of volunteers who could not be immediately equipped were registered and sent back home, instructed to await further calls for engagement.

Numerous units of varying sizes were formed, ranging from small groups of fighters and divisions to platoons, companies, and detachments.

[18] During the transitional period, efforts to further organize and consolidate the forces of the Territorial Defense of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina remained a priority.

The situation culminated in the official declaration of a state of war in the Republic on June 20, 1992,[19] marking a significant turning point in the nation's efforts to mobilize and defend its sovereignty.

This growth was accompanied by a structural reorganization, with a reduction in the number of independent platoons and companies and an expansion in the formation of detachments, battalions, and brigades to enhance operational efficiency and coordination.

On that date, the Presidency issued a decision that formally established the organization of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This decision outlined the formation of headquarters, commands, units, and institutions of the Army, officially putting it into operation and marking the beginning of its gradual development into a structured and cohesive military force.

This initiative was seen as a potential strategic turning point, enabling a shift from a primarily defensive posture to combined and large-scale offensive operations aimed at liberating the country.

[14] On August 18, 1992, the Presidency adopted the decision to establish corps within the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, defining their zones of responsibility and command structure.

[32] The main task of the 7th Corps was to carry out combat operations towards the northwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the direction of Bosanska Krajina.

The length of the front line in the operational zone towards the Croatian Defence Council was about 120 kilometers, and included the Lašva and Upper Vakuf directions.

[33] Operational zone of the 7th Corps included the following municipalities: Banja Luka, Bosanska Gradiška, Bosansko Grahovo, Bugojno, Čelinac, Donji Vakuf, Gornji Vakuf, Glamoč, Jajce, Kotor Varoš, Kupres, Laktasi, Livno, Mrkonjić Grad, Novi Travnik, Travnik, Vitez, Skender-Vakuf and i Šipovo.

Due to the constraints placed by the war, the primary role was to organize units and create functioning command structure in the zone of operation.

[26] In 1997, General Mehmed Alagić was awarded with the Order of the Golden Coat of Arms with Swords (Bosnian: Orden Zlatnog grba sa mačevima).

[37] On the first anniversary of the formation of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, dated April 14, 1993 for overall contribution made to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exceptional combat successes they continuously achieve and the courage, determination and dedication of their members shown in the performance of all combat and other tasks, as well as the care and protection of citizens the Brigade received the honorary title Glorious (Bosnian: Slavna).,[38] and in 1995 the honorary title Knight's (Bosnian: Viteška).

[42] By the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, dated January 18, 1995 for overall contribution made to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exceptional combat successes they continuously achieve and the courage, determination and dedication of their members shown in the performance of all combat and other tasks, as well as the care and protection of citizens the 305th along with 307th Brigade received the honorary title Glorious (Bosnian: Slavna).

[44] After the end of the hostilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a subsequent evaluation of their overall contribution to the armed struggle or as an evaluation of the contribution in the last phase of the war, by the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, the 708th Mountain Brigade received the honorary title Glorious (Bosnian: Slavna).

[48] After the end of the hostilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a subsequent evaluation of their overall contribution to the armed struggle or as an evaluation of the contribution in the last phase of the war, by the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, the 712th Mountain Brigade received the honorary title Glorious (Bosnian: Slavna).

[40] On January 18, 1995 by the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, for overall contribution made to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exceptional combat successes they continuously achieve and the courage, determination and dedication of their members shown in the performance of all combat and other tasks, as well as the care and protection of citizens the 307th along with 305th Brigade received the honorary title Glorious (Bosnian: Slavna).

[61] On January 18, 1995 by the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, for overall contribution made to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exceptional combat successes they continuously achieve and the courage, determination and dedication of their members shown in the performance of all combat and other tasks, as well as the care and protection of citizens the 307th along with 305th Brigade received the honorary title Glorious (Bosnian: Slavna).

[62] 1st Battalion was formed local communities of Gornji Vakuf I and II, Uzričje, Duša, Paloč, Odvode, Batuša, Vrse and Ždrimci.

Crni Vrh - Gornji Vakuf)[63] Posthumously awarded the Order of the Golden Lily (Bosnian: Zlatni ljiljan).

[62] On December 14, 1993, by the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, for overall contribution made to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exceptional combat successes they continuously achieve and the courage, determination and dedication of their members shown in the performance of all combat and other tasks, as well as the care and protection of citizens the Brigade received the honorary title Glorious (Bosnian: Slavna).

A typical issue of "Sloboda" provided analysis of military operations of the 7th Corps, at the same time, it contained articles with important military-political commentary, interviews with the troops, unit and individual activities and achievements, history and sport.

In twenty issues of the magazine "Sloboda" as many as 916 articles, 799 authentic photos and illustrations were published, whose authors were mainly journalists (and associates) from the 7th corps.