Following a meeting on February 17, 2023, between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Bosnian Serb Republic President Milorad Dodik, the Hungarian government reportedly directed the Hungarian Counter-terrorism Centre (TEK) to prepare for deployment in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This mobilization was ostensibly in case assistance was required to prevent Dodik's arrest.

Milorad Dodik announced to the Bosnian Serb National Assembly that Hungarian special forces arrived in Banja Luka on February 24, claiming their numbers to be approximately 300, although TEK has stated that only 70 personnel were involved.

The official rationale for the Hungarian units' presence cited participation in joint training exercises and drills with local forces.

However, investigative reporting suggests that the deployment was primarily to facilitate Dodik's extraction from the country if necessary, particularly through Croatia.

Initial plans allegedly involved crossing the border near Mohács in southern Hungary without notifying Croatian authorities.

According to a source familiar with the operation's details, the TEK sent four operational units along with a reconnaissance team totaling 70 individuals, supplemented by vehicles and a mobile command center truck.

Preparations for the operation included extensive reconnaissance and surveillance conducted by plainclothes units.

Despite the preparations, the operation was ultimately not executed.

Following Dodik's appeal against his prison sentence, no immediate threat of imprisonment existed.

Furthermore, both Croatian authorities and the United States were reportedly made aware of the extraction plan.

Under current Hungarian law, TEK would not have the authority to extract Dodik from the country unless he holds Hungarian citizenship, of which there is no public knowledge.

In August 2023, the Bosnian federal prosecutor's office charged Dodik for failing to comply with decisions from the international community's high representative.

A court in Bosnia-Herzegovina sentenced him to prison last week, barring him from holding public office for six years.

Just two days later, under Dodik's leadership, the Bosnian Serb National Assembly voted to seek independence for the region's judiciary from the central state and has openly discussed the potential separation of the region from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tensions between Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina have escalated in recent weeks, highlighted by the refusal of Bosnian authorities to allow Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister’s aircraft to land in the country, followed by a summons of the Hungarian ambassador to Sarajevo.

While Hungarian officials, including Balázs Orbán, state that Hungary remains interested in stability in the Balkans, the visit by Foreign Ministry official Levente Magyar has intensified already significant tensions within the region.