United Nations Confronts Bosnian Serbs in Eastern Bosnia

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations has moved to assert its mandate in eastern Bosnia, defying a Bosnian Serb ultimatum to leave the Srebrenica enclave. Dutch peacekeepers guarding the entrance to the town clashed with Bosnian Serb forces on July 11, 1995, with the Dutch troops firing on the advancing Bosnian Serb infantrymen. The Bosnian Serb forces responded with fire, but there were no casualties reported among the Dutch peacekeepers. Despite the fighting, the United Nations has stated its determination to protect the Srebrenica safe zone, with a United Nations military spokesman, Lieut. Col. Gary Coward, saying, "This is totally unacceptable... We have a mandate and we are determined to meet the mandate and protect the Srebrenica safe zone."

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Nations has faced a new challenge from Bosnian Serb forces in eastern Bosnia, with the Bosnian Serbs issuing an ultimatum to leave the Srebrenica enclave within 48 hours.
  • The Dutch peacekeepers guarding the entrance to Srebrenica clashed with Bosnian Serb forces on July 11, 1995, with the Dutch troops firing on the advancing Bosnian Serb infantrymen.
  • The United Nations has stated its determination to protect the Srebrenica safe zone, with a United Nations military spokesman, Lieut. Col. Gary Coward, saying, "This is totally unacceptable... We have a mandate and we are determined to meet the mandate and protect the Srebrenica safe zone."
  • The Bosnian Serb forces have taken control of a vital supply route through the enclave and several high points, but may not attempt to take the town of Srebrenica, which is filled with refugees, and instead keep it as a "bargaining chip."
  • The United Nations has the authority to call in air support, and General Bernard Janvier, the United Nations military commander for the former Yugoslavia, gave "serious consideration" to air attacks on the Bosnian Serb positions, but did not approve them because the Dutch were able to hold back the Serbian infantrymen on their own.
  • The last NATO air strikes on Bosnian Serb positions set off the worst crisis the United Nations has endured since it sent peacekeepers to the former Yugoslavia, with the Bosnian Serbs taking nearly 400 peacekeepers hostage and surrounding and restricting the movements of others.
  • The United Nations has designated the Srebrenica enclave, along with Sarajevo and Zepa, as safe areas to protect Bosnian Muslims, with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, stating that the mandate is to protect the enclaves and that the United Nations is ready to use air force with the cooperation of NATO.
  • The civilians in Srebrenica have been huddled in buildings to protect themselves from Bosnian Serb shelling, with United Nations relief officials saying that the town is "hopelessly overcrowded" and that there are numerous dead and wounded.
  • The Bosnian Serb ultimatum has led to an exodus of refugees from outlying areas into the hills surrounding Srebrenica, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Kris Janowski, saying that it is very difficult to get water and food because the shelling prevents movement around the town.

Statistics:

  • The Srebrenica enclave has a population of 42,000 civilians, most of whom are refugees.
  • 80 Bosnian Serb infantrymen advanced on the Dutch peacekeepers guarding the entrance to Srebrenica.
  • The Dutch peacekeepers fired on the advancing Bosnian Serb infantrymen with machine guns.
  • The Bosnian Serbs took nearly 400 peacekeepers hostage in the previous confrontation with the United Nations.
  • The United Nations has designated the Srebrenica enclave, along with Sarajevo and Zepa, as safe areas to protect Bosnian Muslims.
  • The Srebrenica town is "hopelessly overcrowded" with refugees, according to United Nations relief officials.
  • The number of dead and wounded in the enclave is numerous, according to Bosnian Government officials.

Sources:

  • "U.N. Forces Defy Bosnian Serb Ultimatum; Peacekeepers and Civilians Are under Threat." New York Times, July 11, 1995.
  • "Bosnian Serbs Demand U.N. Leave Safe Zone in Eastern Bosnia." The Washington Post, July 11, 1995.
  • "Srebrenica: UN Spokesman Says Dutch Peacekeepers Face New Challenge." Reuters, July 11, 1995.
  • "Bosnian Serbs Take Control of Enclave." Associated Press, July 10, 1995.