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Escalating Violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Fighting between Bosnian Serb forces and mainly Muslim Bosnian government troops intensified across the country on Thursday, amid reports that United Nations peacekeepers may be withdrawn within three weeks. The escalation came as the United Nations reconsidered its peacekeeping operations in the region, citing repeated failures to bring about peace in the former Yugoslavia. U.S. diplomats in Sarajevo and Zagreb expressed concern over the sudden withdrawal, as reports emerged of heavy fighting and artillery duels near Visoko and Vares.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 30,000 U.N. peacekeepers may be withdrawn from Bosnia-Herzegovina within three weeks, following repeated failures to bring about peace in the region.
  • Heavy fighting intensified between Bosnian Serb forces and mainly Muslim Bosnian government troops across the country on Thursday.
  • The Bosnian government army has taken several villages in the north of Sarajevo, formerly held by Bosnian Serbs.
  • Bosnian Serbs attempted to seize four mortar tubes from a U.N.-manned heavy weapons collection point near Sarajevo, resulting in a two-hour standoff between U.N. and Bosnian Serb soldiers.
  • A total of 938 artillery and mortar shells were exchanged in the region from Wednesday to Thursday morning, the highest level of shelling in a single area in months.
  • The increase in military activity came as the self-proclaimed Bosnian Serb assembly refused the latest international contact group peace plan on Wednesday.
  • U.S. diplomats in Sarajevo and Zagreb expressed concern over the sudden withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers, citing the unpredictable and tense situation in the region.

Statistics:

  • 30,000: The number of U.N. peacekeepers that may be withdrawn from Bosnia-Herzegovina within three weeks.
  • 938 artillery and mortar shells: The total number of shells exchanged in the region from Wednesday to Thursday morning.
  • 532 artillery and mortar shells: The number of shells exchanged in the Gradacac region near the Muslim-held town of Gradacac.
  • 423 artillery and mortar shells: The number of shells exchanged in the region near Celic, 20 miles to the east.

Sources:

  • United Press International (UPI)
  • U.S. Embassy in Zagreb
  • UNPROFOR spokesman Maj. Rob Annink
  • U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo
  • The New York Times (edited by Nesho Djuric in Belgrade)

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