Chronology → Video Oral History

The Siege of Sarajevo 1992–1996

This Interactive FAMA Project integrates the documented chronology of the Siege of Sarajevo with first-hand testimonies within a single interface.

The material can be explored month by month by selecting any point between March 1992 and March 1996. For each chosen month, the user can review the corresponding textual chronology alongside video oral history interviews from the same period. By aligning the chronology of events with personal experiences, the platform enables a more layered, contextual exploration of how the siege unfolded over time.

The Siege of Sarajevo: Chronology 1992-1996

Compiled shortly after the war, this comprehensive chronology of the Sarajevo siege covers the period from March 1992 to March 1996. Structured by month and year, it draws on articles from the “Oslobođenje” newspaper, UN archives, reports from foreign correspondents, and citizen testimonies to document key social, political, military, cultural, and personal events of that time. By recording major developments and everyday survival, the chronology remains a vital reference for understanding how the siege unfolded and transformed every aspect of city life.

Oral History: The Siege of Sarajevo 1992-1996, video

Structured chronologically and thematically, this is the first and largest video oral history of the Sarajevo siege in the world, featuring nearly 1,000 interviews with over 450 citizens from diverse backgrounds. Produced soon after the war, it presents personal testimonies covering all aspects of life in the besieged city. This 30-hour collection serves as both an educational resource and a historical record, offering future generations an unparalleled insight into first-hand accounts of the longest urban siege in modern history.

Chronology

At a peace conference in Lisbon, the President of the Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic, agrees to talks on territorial demarcation. The President of the EC, Jose Cutileiro, offers a map drawn up by EC experts on the basis of the three constitutent peoples of BiH.
In Sarajevo, 17,000 refugees from various towns settle in the city. They have either been expelled from their homes, or their houses or apartments have been destroyed by shells.
Sarajevo is under siege. The circle around the city closes, with entrenched tanks, mortars, snipers and cannons.
As the JNA withdraws from its Command headquaters over Skenderija bridge conflict erupts. Self-organized defenders of the city attack the JNA convoy.
After returning from Lisbon and landing at Sarajevo airport, the JNA holds captive the President of the Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic, his daughter who had accompanied him, as well as the leader of the SDP, Zlatko Lagumdzija. They are released later after long exchange negotiations with the assistance of UN Commander Louis Mackenzie.
Juka Prazina, a city paramilitary unit leader, becomes Commander of Special Units of MUP BiH.
Members of the Presidency of BiH, Stjepan Kljujic and Fikret Abdic, sign a ceasefire agreement for the lifting of the blockade of the JNA barracks.
In the Old City, at the entrance to Sarajevo, an old wooden barricade is set up.
The JNA dismisses Blagoje Adzic and relieves from duty the Chief Commander of the sector of Sarajevo, Milutin Kukanjac.
The Sarajevo neighborhood of Dobrinja is surrounded by SDS troops. SDS terrorists give an ultimatum to the defenders of Dobrinja. The SDS sets up a barricade with armed soldiers between the neighborhoods of Dobrinja and Mojmilo.
Within the blockaded JNA barricades conflicts erupt between individual soldiers.
Gunfire from the barracks at vehicles and passersby. The area around the barracks becomes lethally dangerous.
The JNA leaves, destroying everything in their path.
Fighting goes on around the JNA barracks.
Transmissions halted of the independent news program “Yutel.”
With the shelling of the Central Post Office from the surrounding hills by Serb paramilitary groups, 40,000 telephone lines are scorched. The reserve Telephone Exchange on Obala (bank of the Miljacka river) is mined. Sabotage is carried out by specialists from Nis.
Street fighting goes on in different parts of the city.
The Tobacco Factory in Sarajevo is burned after being hit by firebombs.
Urban fighting goes on in Pofalici between Serb units and the city’s defenders. The defenders liberate this neighborhood.
The Headquarters of the UN peacekeeping force in Sarajevo is evacuated.
The Presidency of BiH sets May 19 as the deadline for the withdrawal of the JNA.
In Ilidza, a convoy leaving the city with 5,000 women and children is stopped by SDS troops.
The agreement on the confederation of Bosnia and Croatia comes as a bombshell.
The Presidency of BiH proclaims the JNA an occupation force.
BiH becomes a member of the UN.
After lengthy negotiations, the convoy of women and children abducted in Ilidza is released.
SDS troops forcibly expel patients from the hospital in Jagomir. 113 mental patients roam the city.
Sarajevan writer Abdulah Sidran, an avid chessplayer, seeks donations from 50,000 DM for BiH chessplayers to compete in the Chess Olympiad in Manila.
In an attack on the city, the large Olympic complex “Zetra” is targeted.
The MUP files criminal charges against members of the SDS, including former members of the BiH Presidency, Biljana Plavsic, Nikola Koljevic and Momcilo Krajisnik.
Sefer Halilovic is named Commander of the BiH Territorial Defense.
SDS troops attempt to break into the city through Vraca.
Lisbon, May 24, 1992: A resolution is adopted, after new rounds of negotiations.
Portugese Ambassador, Jose Cutileiro, initiates new rounds of negotiations. The Croat delegation from BiH led is led by Mate Boban. Radovan Karadzic represents the Serb people. The representatives of the Muslim people and delegation of BiH is led by Haris Silajdzic.
JNA leaves the “Viktor Bubanj” barracks.
Report from the Botanical Gardens: unique specimens are in jeopardy from incessant bombardment.
The Apiarist Association of BiH sends out a statement to the world on the true state of affairs in the city.
Heavy artillery attack by the aggressor on the maternity ward.
Shelling in the city center. Massacre of civilians waiting in line for bread.
The Presidency of BiH refuses a convoy exit from the city because of the possibility it will be taken hostage by the aggressor.
JNA units evacuate the city barracks “Jusuf Dzonlic.”
Artillery attack on the city. The city burns. Attack on the “Oslobodjenje” building.
The destruction and burning of the city causes the interruption of the peace conference in Lisbon.
The JNA leaves the Pazaric military compound.
New York, May 30, 1992. The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 757, which imposes sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro and which:
- prevents the import of all products and commodities from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e., Serbia and Montenegro;
- prevents the sale of all products and commoditites to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e., Serbia and Montenegro;
- makes unavailable any financial resources, including Serbian and Yugoslav assets in foreign countries;
- denies permission to aircraft to take off from, land or overfly member states’ territory if it is destined to land or has arrived from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e., Serbia and Montenegro, except for special flights approved in advance on humanitarian grounds;
- prohibits the maintenance of aircraft registered in, or serving the purposes of Serbia and Montenegro, delivering spare parts for such aircraft, providing insurance for them and charging for such services;
- reduces the level of diplomatic and consular staff in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e., Serbia and Montenegro;
- prohibits participation in sporting events to persons or groups representing the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e., Serbia and Montenegro;
- suspends scientific, technical and cultural exchanges and visits with individuals and groups supported by or representing the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e., Serbia and Montenegro.