Siege of Kotor Varoš

Siege of Kotor Varoš
	Part of the Bosnian War
Date	May 1992 – August 1992
Location	Kotor Varoš, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Result	Army of Republika Srpska victory Republika Srpska captures Kotor Varoš;
Belligerents
Republika Srpska	Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Herzeg-Bosnia
Commanders and leaders
Stanislav Galić; Dragan Marčetić	Muhamed Sadiković; Tihomir Blaškić
Units involved
Army of Republika Srpska	Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatian Defence Council; Croatian Defence Forces

The Siege of Kotor Varoš took place during the Bosnian War and lasted from May to August 1992. The conflict involved the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), Croatian Defence Forces (HOS) and the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on one side, against the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), in Kotor Varoš and its villages. Kotor Varoš was surrounded by the VRS and heavy fighting took place throughout the summer of 1992, ending with the fall of the Kotor Varoš municipality and capture of Jajce by the VRS following Operation Vrbas '92.^{[citation needed]}

Timeline

In May, the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) launched a major offensive to seize control of areas with significant Croat and Bosniak populations. The town of Kotor Varoš became a strategic target. On June 11–12,^{[citation needed]} a fight breaks out that ends with the Serbian occupation of the city of Kotor Varoš.^[1] The HVO and local Bosniak forces attempted to defend the area but faced overwhelming VRS strength. On June 24, 1992, Heavy fighting occurred around Kotor Varoš as VRS forces intensified their offensive.^{[citation needed]} Reports indicated that there were significant casualties and destruction of property. In June the VRS also started Operation Vrbas '92,^[2] attacking the nearby town of Jajce. In July, clashes continued with the VRS gradually gaining control over Kotor Varoš municipality.^{[citation needed]} The HVO and Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) were pushed back, and many civilians fled or were displaced. By mid-August, the VRS had established control over Kotor Varoš municipality. There were also smaller rebel fights around the village in September, but they were resolved by an agreement that the remaining Croatian and Muslim forces would leave the area.^{[citation needed]}

Aftermath

The battle resulted in significant destruction and displacement of the civilian population. Reports of atrocities and ethnic cleansing emerged, with many non-Serb residents being expelled or killed.^[3] When Kotor Varoš was under Croatian control, there were also crimes against Serbs.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ "Kotor-Varoš - Sudski utvrđene činjenice iz rata u BiH" (in Bosnian). 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
^ Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990-1995. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 329. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.
^ B, Ante (2018-06-12). "12. lipnja 1992. Kotor Varoš – zašto Hrvati malo znaju o ovom velikom srpskom zločinu?". Kamenjar (in Croatian). Retrieved 2024-07-03.

[1] "Kotor-Varoš - Sudski utvrđene činjenice iz rata u BiH" (in Bosnian). 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2024-10-07.

[2] Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990-1995. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 329. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.

[3] B, Ante (2018-06-12). "12. lipnja 1992. Kotor Varoš – zašto Hrvati malo znaju o ovom velikom srpskom zločinu?". Kamenjar (in Croatian). Retrieved 2024-07-03.

[1]

[2]

[3]