Civil War in the Former Civil War in the Former YugoslaviaYugoslavia

After the Cold War ended Croatia, After the Cold War ended Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia broke Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia broke away from Yugoslavia (often known as away from Yugoslavia (often known as Serbia) and became independent Serbia) and became independent countries.countries.

Conflict quickly broke out in this part of Conflict quickly broke out in this part of Europe which is known as the Europe which is known as the BalkansBalkans..

NATO and the UN worked together to try NATO and the UN worked together to try and end the conflict and protect civilians.and end the conflict and protect civilians.

Balkans Map

Action in BosniaAction in Bosnia

Civil war broke out in BosniaCivil war broke out in BosniaThere was evidence of ‘ethnic cleansing’ There was evidence of ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Bosnian Muslims.of Bosnian Muslims.The UN tried to negotiate a ceasefire, The UN tried to negotiate a ceasefire, provide aid and put sanctions on Serbia to provide aid and put sanctions on Serbia to stop them sending weapons to Bosnia.stop them sending weapons to Bosnia.UN peacekeepers were sent into areas UN peacekeepers were sent into areas where peace had been negotiated but where peace had been negotiated but found it difficult to protect civilians.found it difficult to protect civilians.The UN introduced a no fly zone over The UN introduced a no fly zone over Bosnia to stop Serbia sending aircraft on Bosnia to stop Serbia sending aircraft on bombing missions to Bosnia.bombing missions to Bosnia.

How Did NATO Get How Did NATO Get Involved?Involved?

The UN asked NATO to help them The UN asked NATO to help them make sure that Serbia obeyed the make sure that Serbia obeyed the no-fly zone.no-fly zone.

NATO shot down Serbia aircraft and NATO shot down Serbia aircraft and threatened to use air strikes if safe threatened to use air strikes if safe havens were attackedhavens were attacked

In 1995 the civil war came to an end.In 1995 the civil war came to an end.

NATO troops were sent in to NATO troops were sent in to supervise the peace agreement – supervise the peace agreement – they acted as the ‘muscle’ of the UN.they acted as the ‘muscle’ of the UN.

KosovoKosovo

Kosovo is a small region of Yugoslavia. Kosovo is a small region of Yugoslavia.

Fighting broke out because many people in Fighting broke out because many people in Kosovo wanted to be independent. The Kosovo wanted to be independent. The didn’t want to be ruled by the Serbian didn’t want to be ruled by the Serbian leader, Slobodan Milosevic.leader, Slobodan Milosevic.

There was evidence that the Serb forces There was evidence that the Serb forces were killing many innocent people in were killing many innocent people in Kosovo.Kosovo.

The UN imposed economic sanctions.The UN imposed economic sanctions.

In 1999 NATO launched airstrikes to stop In 1999 NATO launched airstrikes to stop ‘ethnic cleansing’. The Serbs agreed to pull ‘ethnic cleansing’. The Serbs agreed to pull out.out.

KosovoKosovo

NATO sent in forces to ensure that NATO sent in forces to ensure that peace was maintained in Kosovo. peace was maintained in Kosovo. They are still there.They are still there.

They found evidence of mass graves.They found evidence of mass graves.

Slobodan Milosevic and other leaders Slobodan Milosevic and other leaders were put in trial for war crimes at the were put in trial for war crimes at the International Criminal Tribunal in the International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague (Belgium).Hague (Belgium).

Milosevic died in 2006 while his trial Milosevic died in 2006 while his trial was still taking place.was still taking place.