Fighting Escalates in Northern Bosnia as Truce Expires

Fighting intensified across northern Bosnia yesterday as the government and rebel Serbs dismissed appeals to renew a ceasefire that is set to expire on Monday at noon. United Nations troops came under attack in multiple areas, with NATO jets responding to airstrikes in some regions. The fighting marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with civilians fleeing their homes and international peace efforts facing new challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Fighting worsened in the government-held enclave of Bihac in northwestern Bosnia, with a jet dropping a cluster bomb on an uninhabited area just northwest of the town.
• Over 70 Croatian Serbs arrived in Bihac to fight alongside Bosnian Serbs in violation of internationally recognized borders.
• United Nations peacekeepers in Srebrenica were fired upon by Serbs, with 35 shots being fired but no one injured.
• Russian peacekeepers in Sarajevo came under direct rifle fire, highlighting the fragility of the international peace mission.
• The top UN mediator, Yasushi Akashi, plans to visit Sarajevo and the nearby Serb stronghold of Pale on Sunday for a final attempt at extending the ceasefire.
• Bosnian Serbs had shelled the towns of Bihac and Cazin late Friday, with NATO jets responding by bombing the Serb military airfield at Udbina in Croatia.
• The Serb military airfield at Udbina in Croatia was bombed in November, following Croatian Serb jets bombing the Bihac area three times.
• The fighting in Bihac has resulted in the civilians fleeing a village on the Bosnian-Croatian border where at least 13 houses were burning.

Statistics:

• 70 Croatian Serbs arrived in Bihac to fight alongside Bosnian Serbs.
• 35 shots were fired at United Nations peacekeepers in Srebrenica before they were shelled by Serbs.
• The Serb military airfield at Udbina in Croatia was bombed by NATO jets in November following Croatian Serb jets bombing the Bihac area three times.

Sources:

• "NATO jets buzz over Bosnia" by BBC News
• "UN troops attack in Bosnia" by Reuters
• "Bosnia ceasefire in doubt as fighting intensifies" by The New York Times
• "UN to convene emergency meeting to discuss Bosnia crisis" by Interfax News Agency