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What Divided Bosnia During the Genocide — And How It Shaped Lives Forever
The Bosnian War, which raged from 1992 to 1995, was one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe since the Second World War. At the heart of it lay deep ethnic and political divisions that tore the country apart, culminating in acts of genocide that would leave lasting scars on its people. The most infamous of these was the Srebrenica massacre in July 1995, when more than 8,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) men and boys were systematically executed by Bosnian Serb forces.
Roots of Division
Bosnia and Herzegovina was part of the multi-ethnic federation of Yugoslavia, home to three main ethnic groups:
• Bosniaks (Muslims)
• Bosnian Serbs (Orthodox Christians)
• Bosnian Croats (Catholics)
For decades, these communities lived side-by-side in relative peace under Yugoslav rule. But the collapse of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s unleashed nationalist ambitions, driven in part by leaders seeking to redraw borders along ethnic lines. Political propaganda intensified distrust, portraying neighbours as enemies, and communities that once intermarried and celebrated together began to see each other as threats.
When Bosnia declared independence in 1992, Bosnian Serb leaders — backed by Serbia — opposed the move, fearing domination by the Muslim majority. Armed conflict erupted, and Bosnia descended into a brutal war characterised by ethnic cleansing, mass displacement, and the targeting of civilians.
The Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
The genocide in Bosnia, recognised by international courts, was most clearly manifested in Srebrenica. Declared a UN “safe area,” it became a haven for thousands of Bosniak civilians. Yet in July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces overran the enclave. Men and boys were separated from women and children, then executed and buried in mass graves. Women suffered widespread sexual violence, used as a weapon of war to terrorise and destroy communities.
Across Bosnia, ethnic cleansing campaigns forcibly removed or killed people from targeted groups, destroying homes, mosques, churches, and cultural heritage in an attempt to erase centuries of shared history.
Human Impact and Lasting Trauma
The war displaced around 2.2 million people — half of Bosnia’s pre-war population. Families were torn apart, many never to be reunited. Survivors were left with deep psychological scars, including PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and the daily burden of mourning lost loved ones.
In the years after the war, Bosnia remained ethnically divided. The 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement brought an end to the conflict but also cemented a complex political system based on ethnicity, creating two autonomous entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mainly Bosniaks and Croats) and Republika Srpska (mainly Serbs). While it stopped the fighting, it reinforced separation, making reconciliation difficult.
Legacy and Struggle for Reconciliation
For many, the genocide left more than physical destruction — it shattered trust between communities. Schools, neighbourhoods, and even government institutions often remain segregated. Efforts at reconciliation are ongoing, led by grassroots groups, survivors’ associations, and human rights organisations, but denial of the genocide by some political leaders continues to fuel tensions.
Despite the lingering divisions, Bosnia’s people have shown resilience. Annual commemorations in Srebrenica and international recognition of the genocide serve both as remembrance for victims and a warning to the world about the dangers of ethnic hatred and political manipulation.
Attached is a news article regarding Bosnia and the genocide that took place
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g2edzg2wlo.amp
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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