Civil War in the Former Yugoslavia After the Cold War ended Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia broke away from Yugoslavia (often known as Serbia) and became independent countries. Conflict quickly broke out in this part of Europe which is known as the Balkans. NATO and the UN worked together to try and end the conflict and protect civilians.

Balkans Map

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

How Did NATO Get Involved? The UN asked NATO to help them make sure that Serbia obeyed the no-fly zone. NATO shot down Serbia aircraft and threatened to use air strikes if safe havens were attacked In 1995 the civil war came to an end. NATO troops were sent in to supervise the peace agreement – they acted as the ‘muscle’ of the UN.

Kosovo Kosovo is a small region of Yugoslavia. Fighting broke out because many people in Kosovo wanted to be independent. The didn’t want to be ruled by the Serbian leader, Slobodan Milosevic. There was evidence that the Serb forces were killing many innocent people in Kosovo. The UN imposed economic sanctions. In 1999 NATO launched airstrikes to stop ‘ethnic cleansing’. The Serbs agreed to pull out.

Kosovo NATO sent in forces to ensure that peace was maintained in Kosovo. They are still there. They found evidence of mass graves. Slobodan Milosevic and other leaders were put in trial for war crimes at the International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague (Belgium). Milosevic died in 2006 while his trial was still taking place.