Historical Background
The war between Bosnia and Serbia began in 1992 and lasted until 1995. It was part of the wider Yugoslav Wars, which had begun in 1991. The war was fought between the forces of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia) and the forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia). The conflict was rooted in the long-standing ethnic and religious divisions in the region, as well as in the struggle for political and economic power.
Political Causes
The political causes of the war were largely the result of the breakup of Yugoslavia. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Yugoslavian government was increasingly unable to hold together the different ethnic groups that made up the country. In 1991, the republics of Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence from Yugoslavia, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. The Bosnian Serbs, who were largely supported by Serbia, opposed the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and sought to create their own state within the country. This led to the outbreak of war between Bosnia and Serbia.
Ethnic Conflict
The war between Bosnia and Serbia was also rooted in ethnic and religious divisions in the region. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multi-ethnic country, with a population that is roughly half Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim), 30% Serb, and 15% Croat. The Bosniaks were largely in favor of independence, while the Serbs were largely opposed. This led to an armed conflict between the two sides, with the Bosnian Serbs seeking to create their own state within Bosnia.
International Intervention
The war between Bosnia and Serbia was eventually brought to an end with the intervention of the international community. In 1995, the Dayton Agreement was signed, which ended the war and established a new government in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The agreement also granted autonomy to the Bosnian Serbs, allowing them to create their own state within Bosnia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the war between Bosnia and Serbia was the result of a combination of political, ethnic, and religious divisions in the region. The conflict was eventually brought to an end with the intervention of the international community, which established a new government in Bosnia and Herzegovina and granted autonomy to the Bosnian Serbs.
Keywords: Bosnia, Serbia, Yugoslav Wars, ethnic divisions, religious divisions, political power, international community, Dayton Agreement.
