Siege of Sarajevo

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Siege of Sarajevo

The Siege of Sarajevo was a prolonged blockade and assault on the city of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, during the Bosnian War. The siege lasted from 5 April 1992 to 29 February 1996 and is considered one of the longest sieges in the history of modern warfare. The Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) encircled the city, which was defended by the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH).

Background[edit | edit source]

The siege began following the declaration of independence by Bosnia and Herzegovina from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Bosnian War erupted as ethnic tensions between Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs escalated. Sarajevo, a city with a diverse population, became a focal point of the conflict.

Course of the Siege[edit | edit source]

The VRS, composed mainly of Bosnian Serbs, surrounded Sarajevo and established positions in the hills surrounding the city. The siege was characterized by constant shelling and sniper fire, leading to significant civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure. The ARBiH, along with local defense forces, attempted to defend the city and break the siege.

Humanitarian Crisis[edit | edit source]

The blockade resulted in severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The United Nations (UN) established an airlift to provide humanitarian aid, but the delivery of supplies was often hindered by the ongoing conflict. The Sarajevo Tunnel, also known as the "Tunnel of Hope," was constructed to smuggle supplies into the city.

International Response[edit | edit source]

The international community condemned the siege, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) eventually intervened with airstrikes against VRS positions. The Dayton Agreement, signed in December 1995, brought an end to the Bosnian War and the siege of Sarajevo.

Aftermath[edit | edit source]

The siege resulted in the deaths of an estimated 13,952 people, including 5,434 civilians. The city suffered extensive damage, with many buildings destroyed or heavily damaged. The siege left a lasting impact on the population and the city's infrastructure.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The Siege of Sarajevo is remembered as a tragic event in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It highlighted the horrors of urban warfare and the suffering of civilians in conflict zones. The event is commemorated through various memorials and museums in Sarajevo.