The Balkans in Flames - End of Yugoslavia | Full Historical Documentary

The 1990s in the Balkans were marked by conflict, resulting in millions displaced and over 100,000 dead. The world, including the UN, was largely inactive, even in the face of mass murder and ethnic cleansing, particularly in Srebrenica. The script introduces key figures like Slobodan Milosevic, who aimed to create a Greater Serbia, and Radovan Karadzic, who sought an ethnically pure Serb state. The Bosnian Serb army, led by Ratko Mladic, aggressively expanded its territory, displacing hundreds of thousands of Muslims, while UN 'safe areas' like Srebrenica were under threat and ultimately failed to provide protection.

Despite the UN's establishment of safe areas, they were ineffective and easily targeted by Serbian forces. The International Criminal Court was set up to prosecute war crimes in the region, but it was seen as a largely symbolic gesture as it failed to prevent further violence. Mladic and his troops continued their aggression, even taking UN peacekeepers hostage. The situation in Srebrenica reached a critical point in 1995, with Dutch UN soldiers unable to defend the area against Serbian advances, leading to a humanitarian crisis and the eventual massacre.

On July 11, 1995, Mladic's forces breached the Srebrenica protection zone, leading to the flight of Muslims into the woods and the Dutch Blue Helmet camp. The camp, overwhelmed and unable to provide protection, saw thousands seeking refuge. Women and children were separated from the men, who were systematically executed, resulting in over 8,000 deaths. The remains of the victims were identified years later, and the search for missing persons continues. The Srebrenica massacre stands as the most severe war crime in Europe since WWII, facilitated by UN's inaction.

The tide of the war began to turn as the Croatian military, bolstered by US support, launched Operation 'Storm' in August 1995. The operation aimed to reclaim Serbian-controlled areas, leading to a mass exodus of Serbian inhabitants fearing Croatian retribution. The Croatian forces swiftly took control of the Krajina region, marking a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict. Meanwhile, Serbia itself started to suffer from economic sanctions and the burden of war, leading to internal changes that would eventually affect the course of the conflict.

The script describes a pivotal moment in 1995 when a Serbian grenade attack on Sarajevo led to NATO's intervention. Operation 'Deliberate Force' was NATO's first combat operation, aimed at liberating Sarajevo after a prolonged siege. The operation involved air strikes that pushed back the Bosnian Serb army, leading to the city's liberation in October. This marked a significant turning point, forcing Milosevic to the negotiating table and setting the stage for peace talks.

The Dayton peace agreement, signed in Paris in December 1995, ended the Bosnian war. Bosnia-Herzegovina was divided into Serbian and Bosnian-Croatian zones, with the Serbian Republika Srpska receiving 49% of the territory and the Federation of Croats and Bosnian Muslims 51%. The agreement was criticized but was seen as the only viable solution to prevent further loss of life. It also marked a turning point in the Yugoslav conflict, shifting focus to Kosovo.

Kosovo, a Serbian province, was a focal point due to its predominantly Muslim Albanian population and its significance to Serbs as the birthplace of Serbia. The region had a history of unrest, with protests in 1981 and subsequent crackdowns by Belgrade. Slobodan Milosevic's policies further exacerbated tensions, leading to the emergence of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in 1996. The KLA's guerrilla tactics and the Serbian response led to an escalating conflict, with the West eventually siding with the Albanians and preparing for military intervention.

In 1999, NATO, led by the US, intervened in Kosovo with Operation 'Allied Force', a humanitarian mission to stop Serbian violence. The intervention was controversial, with NATO states excluding the UN due to concerns over a Russian veto. The operation saw air raids targeting Serbian military installations and infrastructure, causing significant civilian casualties and hardships in Serbia, including Belgrade. Despite the initial support, the intervention faced criticism and dwindling support over time.

The Kosovo conflict ended with Milosevic's surrender after 78 days of NATO air raids. Kosovo became a UN protectorate within Yugoslavia, with a transitional administration and peacekeeping forces. Milosevic was eventually overthrown and delivered to the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, where he died before his trial ended. The conflict left Serbia in disarray, with economic sanctions, destruction, and a disillusioned populace. The international community struggled to establish an authoritative historical record for reconciliation.

The Western Balkans have seen a reorganization with seven independent states emerging, and some have declared EU membership candidacy or joined the EU. However, the region still grapples with the aftermath of war, including corruption, mismanagement, and unresolved ethnic divisions. Bosnia remains divided, and Kosovo's independence is not recognized by Serbia, keeping the potential for conflict alive. The international presence is crucial to maintaining peace, and the region is at the crossroads of geopolitical influences, with countries like the EU, Turkey, Russia, and the US vying for influence.