The intent was to connect the northeastern parts of Republika Srpska and the Serb-dominated rump Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with the Bosnian Serb-controlled area around Sarajevo.

As part of offensive operations aimed at achieving this objective, on 11 May Bosnian Serb TO and Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) troops captured the key population centre of Kalesija, 20 km (12 mi) west of Zvornik.

[1] Despite the reverses suffered in May by the Bosnian TO in the region, both those elements in the Kalesija and Sapna area and within the Cerska-Kamenica enclave continued to fight, and made several attempts to capture the Zvornik–Šekovići road.

Around 7 June, the Bosnian TO elements from Kalesija and Sapna attacked the VRS 1st Zvornik Infantry Brigade positions, aiming to reach the important villages of Memići and Caparde on the Zvornik–Šekovići road.

On 19 June, the 1st Birač Infantry Brigade captured the key height of Mount Vis, which overlooked Kalesija, the Spreča River valley, and even the Tuzla-Dubrave airbase.

[3] After the inconclusive operations in May and early July, Bosnian TO elements mainly from the Cerska–Kamenica enclave went on the offensive with a further series of raids and attacks aimed at severing the Zvornik-Šekovići road.

In late August ARBiH units from Kalesija and Kamenica attacked towards the road from both sides in an attempt to link up, but gained little ground.