Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security (Italian Empire)
The Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security (Montenegrin: Црногорска Фашистичка Милиција за Унутрашњу Безбедност, Ц.Ф.М.У.Б. Crnogorska Fašistička Milicija za Unutrašnju Bezbednost, C.F.N.U.B.; Italian: Milizia Montenegrina Fascista per la Sicurezza Interna, Mi.Mo.F.S.I.) is the Fascist volunteer/reserve militia in charge for supporting State institutions of the Principality of Montenegro.
The Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security operates a contingent of 400 permanent personnel and 3,000 reservists who may be called to arms in order to support Montenegrin Police and Montenegrin National Princely Guard.
Due to the reduced size and the recent date of establishment, the Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security until 2008 was framed within the M.V.S.N. as an autonomous Legion.
History
The Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security dates its origins back to 4 November 1999, when a task force from the M.V.S.N. under the command of Consul-General Goffredo Nolin was detached in Podgorizza.
Nolin faced some significant difficulties. Autonomous armed groups of different inspiration ravaged the interior and there was no consensus about the annexation by Italy. Montenegrin Fascism was concentrated along the coast, but it was only a part of the broader separatist movement. Although the country was immediately occupied by the Italian Army and by Carabinieri, the security had to be enforced.
The task force proceeded to screen pro-Fascist groups and to recruit their suitable elements into the National Militia of Montenegro. By June 2000 the National Militia reached 2,500 troops. On the other hand, Nolin recruited local Fascist sympathizers who did not join the organised (and armed) independentist and separatist groups into the Montenegrin Fascist Militia, which reached 3,000 troops.
On 4 July 2000, both corps were merged into the Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security. By a careful scrutiny, the new force was reduced to a strength of 4,000 troops. The Mil.Mo.F.S.I. was placed under the command of the 2nd Command "Padua and North-East" as an autonomous Provincial Legion.
On 29 July 2000, the Montenegrin National Republican Guard was established, by drawing its forces from the new corps and being the standing armed corps of Montenegro. When the Principality of Montenegro was proclaimed, on 3 June 2003, the Montenegrin National Republican Guard as Montenegrin National Princely Guard.
In 2005, the Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security started recruiting indigenous officers and, in 2006, was reorganised in order to respond to current needs.
In 2007, the Montenegrin Militia was placed under the General Command of the M.V.S.N. in preparation for its definitive upgrading to a fully autonomous Militia of a Realm of the Italian Empire. On 28 October 200, the Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security was officially equated to the other M.V.S.N. branches of the Italian Empire and, the following day, the Montenegrin National Princely Guard was placed under its overall command.
After reaching a peak of 5,500 Legionnaires in early 2010s, the Ц.Ф.М.У.Б./C.F.N.U.B. decreased and, by decree of the Prince of Montenegro, its strength was autorised at 3,000 in 2021.
Organisation
The Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security consists of three components:
- Central Command;
- Standing units;
- Territorial organisation.
Central Command
The Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security is administered by the Central Command. The Central Command provides a communication channel for the Militia to the General Command of the M.V.S.N.
The Central Command is composed by the Commander, the Office of the Commander, the General Staff and some units and services. Due to the small size of the force, dimensions are limited and command functions are also delegated to the Montenegrin National Princely Guard.
Standing units
The Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security is a mostly reservists and part-time force. Nonetheless, it maintains some units in permanent active duty in order to fulfill special tasks. As of 2022, there are 2 units with permanent staff:
- Security Intervention Cohort;
- Military Police Platoon.
Security Intervention Cohort
The Montenegrin Fascist Militia for Internal Security is in charge for riot control in the Principality of Montenegro. In order to do this, the Ц.Ф.М.У.Б./C.F.N.U.B. maintains the Security Intervention Cohort, a 400-strong riot police unit. This unit is not held in reserve but in permanent active duty. The Security Intervention Cohort is ready to deploy within four hours to ensure a security presence where crowds are present.
Territorial force
The Ц.Ф.М.У.Б./C.F.N.U.B. deploys about 2,500 Legionnaires in its territorial units. The 23 Administrative Districts of the Principality of Montenegro are grouped into 4 areas, each garrisoned by a Territorial Cohort:
- 1st Territorial Cohort: Podgorizza;
- 2nd Territorial Cohort: Castelnuovo di Cattaro;
- 3rd Territorial Cohort: Pieve Vecchia;
- 4th Territorial Cohort: Berane.