Bosnian Serb Authorities Report Clashes with UN Peacekeeping Forces

Tensions between United Nations peacekeeping forces and Bosnian Serb authorities escalated on Friday when a clash near the northern town of Tuzla resulted in the deaths of nine Serbian soldiers and the wounding of four others. The incident marked the worst ground clash between UN forces and Bosnian Serbs since fighting began in the former Yugoslav republic two years ago. The Bosnian Serb command characterized the incident as the "first ground attack on positions of the Bosnian Serb army" by the UN, further fueling accusations that the UN force is not neutral.

Key Takeaways:

• Nine Serbian soldiers were killed and four wounded in a clash with United Nations peacekeeping forces near Tuzla.
• The incident was the worst ground clash between UN forces and Bosnian Serbs since fighting began in Bosnia two years ago.
• A Nordic battalion with the peacekeeping force fired 72 shells at Bosnian Serb positions after coming under artillery, mortar, and tank fire.
• The UN reported no casualties among their soldiers.
• The clash appeared to reinforce Serbian accusations that the UN force is not neutral.
• A separate clash near Gorazde resulted in the deaths of three Bosnian Serb soldiers and five wounded.
• The situation around Tuzla is tense due to the town's strategic importance as a base for Bosnian Government forces preparing for a possible offensive.

Statistics:

• 9 Serbian soldiers killed
• 4 Serbian soldiers wounded
• 72 shells fired by UN peacekeeping forces at Bosnian Serb positions
• No casualties reported among UN soldiers
• 3 Bosnian Serb soldiers killed
• 5 Bosnian Serb soldiers wounded in a separate clash near Gorazde

Sources:

• "Serbian Troops Battle U.N. Force in Bloc" by Bernard Weinraub, The New York Times, August [no date]
• "Tuzla Tense As Bosnian Army Moves North" by United Press International, August [no date]