Dutch Peacekeepers' Failure to Protect Srebrenica Fuel National Shame and Reassessment of Approaches

Strategic Insights -

As the Bosnian Serb units tightened their grip on Srebrenica in July 1995, General Ratko Mladic summoned Dutch peacekeepers to a hotel where they were shown a live pig being slaughtered, a gruesome display meant to convey his intentions towards those protected by the Dutch. Despite this warning, Dutch peacekeepers failed to prevent the capture of Srebrenica by Bosnian Serbs, who went on to expel, rape, and kill thousands of civilians. The incident has left the Netherlands grappling with feelings of national shame and a reevaluation of its approach to international conflicts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dutch peacekeepers in Srebrenica were reassigned a reduced force of 400 from over 600 due to Bosnian Serb roadblocks, leaving them with limited ammunition and supplies.
  • Despite being told by a Bosnian Serb soldier that they would be treated like the pig being slaughtered, Dutch peacekeepers failed to prevent the capture of Srebrenica.
  • The Dutch Defense Ministry's spokesman, Bert Kreemers, argued that the peacekeepers were unable to act against the overwhelming superiority of the Bosnian Serbs.
  • The failure of Dutch peacekeepers to protect Srebrenica has sparked heated debate in the Dutch Parliament, with some politicians questioning the relevance of the Netherlands' traditionally peaceful approach to world affairs.
  • An estimated 25,000 residents fled Srebrenica to nearby Potocari, but Dutch peacekeepers allowed Bosnian Serb soldiers to enter the area, separate men from other residents, and ship them away unaccompanied by foreign observers.
  • Many residents have not been heard from since, and some have been killed or imprisoned in detention camps.

Statistics:

  • 25,000: Estimated residents who fled Srebrenica to nearby Potocari.
  • 400: Number of Dutch peacekeepers in Srebrenica after being reassigned.
  • 600: Original number of Dutch peacekeepers in Srebrenica.
  • 30: Number of Dutch peacekeepers taken hostage by Bosnian Serb units.
  • 6 days: Duration of the hostage-taking.
  • 1: Number of Dutch soldiers killed in Srebrenica.

Sources:

  • "On the afternoon of July 11, as Bosnian Serb units were tightening their noose around the Muslim town of Srebrenica, the Bosnian Serb commander, Gen. Ratko Mladic, decided to teach Dutch peacekeepers there a lesson in his form of warfare" (The New York Times).
  • "Critics say the Bosnian Serb record in treating Muslim civilians, as well as explicit warnings like the pig butchering, should have led Dutch peacekeepers to suspect the worst as Bosnian Serb soldiers began separating military-age men from the rest of the population and shipping them off in trucks and buses" (The New York Times).
  • "In the hours following after the Bosnian Serb takeover of Srebrenica on the night of July 11-12, an estimated 25,000 residents fled from the town to what they hoped would be safe refuge in and around the Dutch headquarters in nearby Potocari" (The New York Times).
  • "Dutch politicians are wondering aloud if a tougher Dutch line might have saved civilian lives in Srebrenica" (The New York Times).
  • "Mr. Kreemers, the Defense Ministry spokesman, said that the United Nations had not given them orders to prevent Bosnian Serbs from taking Srebrenica, and that in any case the Dutch did not have enough arms or troops to do so" (The New York Times).