Escalating Violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina

UN peacekeepers and a French helicopter were targeted by snipers in and around Sarajevo, while a snag was reported in the withdrawal of troops from around the eastern Muslim enclave of Gorazde. Despite a February cease-fire agreement, sniping has increased for the past week, and NATO has issued an ultimatum threatening airstrikes against active heavy artillery positions around the city. Meanwhile, the unpacking of artillery-tracking radar equipment in the U.N.-declared safe area of Tuzla was completed on Sunday.

Key Takeaways:

• UN Protection Force spokesman Maj. Rob Annink reported that a French Puma helicopter was hit by two rounds from a small caliber weapon while flying 12 miles southwest of Sarajevo.
• The origin of fire in the incident is unknown, but the French helicopter crew reported that the shots came from Muslim-led Bosnian government positions south of Mt. Igman.
• Despite a February cease-fire agreement, sniping has increased for the past week, with a Ukrainian soldier being fired at three times late Sunday and a French battalion observation post coming under small arms fire.
• The withdrawal of troops from around the eastern Muslim enclave of Gorazde hit a snag on Sunday, with troops from each side still within the 1.8-mile radius designated for withdrawal.
• NATO issued an ultimatum on April 24, threatening airstrikes against active heavy artillery positions around the city if the ceasefire was not respected.
• The unpacking of artillery-tracking radar equipment in the U.N.-declared safe area of Tuzla was completed on Sunday, with 100 Jordanian peacekeepers responsible for its operation.

Statistics:

• 12 miles (20 km): distance of the French helicopter from Sarajevo when it was hit
• 1.8 miles (3 km): radius designated for withdrawal of troops around the city of Gorazde
• 55 miles (75 km): distance from Sarajevo to the U.N.-declared safe area of Tuzla
• 6 days: expected time for the set-up of the artillery-tracking radar equipment
• 100: number of Jordanian peacekeepers responsible for the operation of the equipment

Sources:

• UN Protection Force spokesman Maj. Rob Annink
• A French Puma helicopter crew
• A Ukrainian soldier
• A French battalion observation post
• NATO press release dated April 24
• Military observers in Gorazde
• Negotiations between UN officials and representatives of the warring sides in Sarajevo
• An exodus of people from several villages in the northwestern Bihac region.