The Attacks on Vrnograč also known as Operation Vrnograč 95, was a series of skirmishes and clashes in the area of Vrnograč, Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War and Inter-Bosnian Muslim War.
| Operation Vrnograč | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Bosnian War and Inter-Bosnian Muslim War | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia | Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Mile Novakovic "Raja" Bozovic |
Atif Dudaković Izet Nanić | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
NOZB
|
ARBiH | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 200–500 | 300–800 | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | 77 killed, 15 wounded | ||||||||
|
50–100 civilians killed Hundreds displaced | |||||||||
Background
Vrnograč is a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the municipality of Velika Kladuša. In the census of 1991, it had 1,201 people, including a majority of Bosniaks.
In late 1994, Fikret Abdić's forces, consisting of Serbian Volunteer Guard units and Muslim rebel army National Defence of the APZB loyal to Abdić, launched operations to consolidate control over the northern part of the Bihać region. The primary objective was to eliminate the 5th Corps' salient near Velika Kladusa and capture strategic town called Vrnograč. National Defence of the APZB forces, bolstered by crack Serbian units such as the Red Berets and Arkan’s Serbian Volunteer Guard led by Milorad Ulemek, faced stiff resistance from the 5th Corps, which was tasked with defending the area.
The Battle
The battle unfolded in a series of slow, grinding offensives over several months. The 5th Corps, with around 4,000–5,000 troops, was primarily made up of the 505th Bužim Brigade, the 506th Velika Kladusa Mountain Brigade, and the 510th Liberation Brigade. These forces, although bolstered by reinforcements, were stretched thin due to other engagements on the southern areas.
The first major clash occurred in late January 1995, with Operational Group “Pauk” making limited gains against the 5th Corps' positions around Podzvizd and Mala Kladusa. Despite heavy artillery support from SVK forces, progress was slow. In February, National Defence of the APZB and SVK forces managed to seize small gains near Velika Kladuša, but failed to make decisive breakthroughs. By March 1995, National Defence of the APZB and SVK forces began to gain momentum, making advances around Podzvizd and pressuring the 5th Corps' defenses. By March 21, they had largely taken the Podzvizd salient and shifted their focus toward Vrnograc. This two-pronged offensive, moving from Mala Kladusa and Bosanska Bojna, continued into April, with significant territory gained in mid-April, bringing the Serb-led forces within striking distance of Vrnograč.
Final Assault and Aftermath
In June 1995, the pressure on Vrnograč intensified. On June 21, after weeks of sustained attacks, the 505th Bužim Brigade and 506th Brigade defenders withdrew from the town. National Defence of the APZB and SVK forces pushed southward for another two kilometers before 5th Corps' defenses were solidified. While major fighting ceased at this point, the conflict would reignite in July. Abdić's forces, with strong Serb backing, took control of the northern third of Bihać, including the town of Vrnograč.
References
- Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990-1995. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 295. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.
- "Nacionalni sastav stanovništva Republike Bosne i Hercegovine 1991" (PDF). fzs.ba. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990-1995. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 531. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.
- Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 294. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.
- Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990-1995. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 531. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.
- Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 294. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.
- Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 294. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.
- Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. 294. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4.