Nato Warplanes and Missiles Attack Yugoslav Targets

Strategic Insights -

Nato warplanes and missiles bombarded targets in and around Belgrade, the capital of Yugoslavia, while the Yugoslav military shifted forces in Kosovo to the southwestern region, where the Kosovo Liberation Army was regrouping for a possible last stand. The attacks came as the United States announced it was sending Apache combat helicopters to Albania for attacks on tanks and other ground forces in Kosovo. The escalation of the Nato campaign further ratcheted up tensions in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nato warplanes and missiles attacked the Yugoslav First Army headquarters in Belgrade, along with petroleum tanks, an ammunition plant, and highway bridges elsewhere.
  • At least three people, including an elderly woman, were killed and 21 were injured in weekend attacks, according to Yugoslav reports.
  • Nato missiles hit an oil refinery at Pancevo, northeast of Belgrade, killing two workers and injuring four, while a 73-year-old woman died and seven people were injured in an attack on Cacak, a southern industrial town 50 miles south of the capital.
  • Three people were injured when a fuel depot near the town of Kraljevo, 75 miles south of Belgrade, was hit.
  • Air Commodore David Wilby said the Yugoslav military was shifting forces in Kosovo to the southwest, where the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army was regrouping for what appeared to be a last stand.
  • The United States announced it was sending Apache combat helicopters to Albania for attacks on tanks and other ground forces in Kosovo.
  • A US official said a Multiple Launch Rocket System would be used in Macedonia to fire short and medium-range missiles into Yugoslavia when bad weather prevents air strikes.
  • Deploying Apaches would further escalate the Nato campaign by sending low-flying helicopters into hostile territory and deploying hundreds of support troops closer to the conflict.

Statistics:

  • At least 3 people were killed and 21 were injured in weekend attacks according to Yugoslav reports.
  • 2 workers were killed and 4 were injured in an attack on an oil refinery at Pancevo.
  • A 73-year-old woman died and 7 people were injured in an attack on Cacak.
  • 3 people were injured when a fuel depot near the town of Kraljevo was hit.
  • Hundreds of support troops will be deployed closer to the conflict with the introduction of Apache combat helicopters in Albania.

Sources:

  • NATO website, "NATO Air Campaign against Yugoslavia", [1]
  • Reuters, "Nato warplanes, missiles attack Yugoslavia", [2]
  • Associated Press, "Yugoslav troops shift to southwest to face Kosovo rebels", [3]
  • New York Times, "Nato Begins Attack on Yugoslavia, Targets Include Army Headquarters", [4]
  • BBC News, "Nato sends Apache helicopters to Albania", [5]