Siege of Sarajevo
Sarajevo, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
What happened
Bosnian Serb forces surrounded Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was defended by the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, Bosnian Serb forces, who wanted their own state, surrounded Sarajevo. For almost four years they cut off supplies, water and electricity and bombarded the city with artillery, tanks and sniper fire. The people of Sarajevo survived with help from United Nations airlifts and a tunnel dug beneath the airport runway, the city's only land link to the outside world.
Why it matters
Result: Military stalemate Ceasefire; Dayton Agreement signed ARBiH unable to lift the siege VRS captures Ilidža , Azići, Grbavica UN takes control of International Airport NATO. Leaders: Alija Izetbegović / Hakija Turajlić against Bernard Janvier / François Mitterrand. Why it matters: It was the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare, lasting about 1,425 days, and 5,434 civilians were killed. Attacks on the city's Markale market drew international outrage and led to NATO air strikes in 1995.
What came next
The Dayton Agreement, signed in December 1995, brought peace and set up Bosnia and Herzegovina as one country made of two parts. An international court later convicted several Bosnian Serb leaders and commanders of crimes committed during the siege.
Did you know?
The tunnel dug beneath Sarajevo's airport runway became the city's only land link to the outside world.
Timeline
- 5 April 1992The siege of Sarajevo begins.
- During the siegeDefenders dig a tunnel beneath the airport runway.
- 1995NATO launches air strikes against Bosnian Serb positions.
- 14 December 1995The Dayton Agreement is signed in Paris.
- 29 February 1996The siege officially ends.