Red Cross Calls Off Evacuation Plan in Bosnia Amid Conflict

Strategic Insights -

The Red Cross has canceled plans to evacuate thousands of non-Serbs from northern Bosnia after Serb leader Dr. Radovan Karadzic imposed a limit on the number of people allowed to leave. The move comes amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis, with Serb forces besieging the Muslim enclave of Gorazde in eastern Bosnia. The United Nations has expressed concern over the situation, with Security Council President Mr. Colin Keating announcing plans to send additional observers to the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Red Cross had planned to evacuate thousands of non-Serbs from Prijedor in northern Bosnia, but Dr. Karadzic limited the number to a few dozen people.
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called off the evacuation plan after talks with Dr. Karadzic, citing his refusal to allow thousands of people to leave.
  • The UN planned to send additional observers to the Serb-besieged Muslim enclave of Gorazde in eastern Bosnia, as well as 1,000 Ukrainian peacekeeping troops within the next week.
  • A week-old Serb artillery and tank attack on the Bosnian Government enclave killed 49 people and wounded 218, mostly civilians.
  • The ICRC reported that up to 20 Muslims and Croats had been killed in a new outbreak of "ethnic cleansing" in Prijedor.
  • Dr. Andreas Kuhn, ICRC delegation chief in Bosnia, said that Dr. Karadzic agreed to let only a few dozen people who felt most threatened to leave, but refused to allow thousands of people to evacuate.

Statistics:

  • 49 people killed in a week-old Serb artillery and tank attack on the Bosnian Government enclave.
  • 218 people wounded in the same attack.
  • Up to 20 Muslims and Croats killed in a new outbreak of "ethnic cleansing" in Prijedor.
  • 1000 Ukrainian peacekeeping troops planned to be sent to the region within the next week.
  • 1,000s of non-Serbs originally planned to be evacuated from Prijedor.

Sources:

  • Reuters: "Red Cross calls off evacuation plan in Bosnia amid conflict"
  • United Nations: Statement by Security Council President Mr. Colin Keating
  • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Press release on evacuation plan cancelation
  • Sarajevo radio: Reporting on Serb forces breaking through the Muslim frontline around Gorazde.