The Bosnian crisis was part of the Yugoslav Wars and occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. Bosnia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia triggered the conflict, leading to ethnic tensions between Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Serbs, and Croats.
Chronology of Events:
1992:
- March: Bosnia and Herzegovina announces its independence from Yugoslavia.
- April: The European Community (EC) and the United Nations (UN) recognize Bosnia's independence.
- May: Bosnian Serb forces, supported by the Yugoslav People's Army, begin a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bosniak civilians.
- July: The Bosnian War begins.
- August: UN Security Council Resolution 752 imposes economic sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro for their support of Bosnian Serb forces.
1993:
- January: The Bosnian government and Bosnian Croat forces sign the Washington Agreement, forming a federation.
- February: The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is established to prosecute war crimes committed during the Yugoslav Wars.
- July: Bosnian Serb forces launch an offensive against the UN-designated "safe area" of Srebrenica.
1994:
- February: The Bosnian government and Bosnian Croat forces launch a joint offensive against Bosnian Serb forces.
- March: The Bosnian government and Bosnian Serb forces sign a ceasefire agreement.
- July: The Srebrenica massacre occurs as Bosnian Serb forces overrun the UN "safe area," resulting in the deaths of thousands of Bosniak men and boys.
1995:
- August: NATO launches airstrikes against Bosnian Serb forces in response to the Srebrenica massacre.
- September: The Dayton Agreement is signed in Dayton, Ohio, ending the Bosnian War.
Aftermath:
- The Bosnian War resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 people and the displacement of millions.
- The ICTY indicted numerous individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict, including former Bosnian Serb leaders Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina has faced ongoing challenges in post-war reconstruction, economic development, and reconciliation between its different ethnic groups.