Markale massacres, more than 60 people are killed and some 200 wounded as a mortar shell explodes in a downtown marketplace in Sarajevo.

The Markale market shellings, also widely referred to as the Markale massacres, represent two horrific incidents of civilian bombardment during the devastating Siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War. These deliberate attacks targeted innocent civilians gathered at the Markale marketplace, a vital hub located in the historic core of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring the brutal reality of urban warfare. At least one of these devastating bombardments was definitively confirmed to have been carried out by the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), the military force of the self-proclaimed Republika Srpska entity.

The First Markale Shelling: February 5, 1994

The initial bombardment occurred on February 5, 1994, transforming a bustling marketplace into a scene of unimaginable horror. A single 120-millimetre (4.7-inch) mortar shell exploded amidst the crowd, resulting in the tragic deaths of 68 people and severely wounding an additional 144 individuals. This attack, occurring during one of the longest sieges in modern history, drew immediate international condemnation and highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Sarajevo. The Siege of Sarajevo, lasting from April 1992 to February 1996, saw Bosnian Serb forces encircle the city, subjecting its residents to constant shelling, sniper fire, and a blockade of essential supplies, making places like the Markale market crucial for daily survival.

The Second Markale Shelling: August 28, 1995 and its Pivotal Consequences

A second, equally tragic shelling took place on August 28, 1995. On this occasion, five mortar shells, conclusively determined to have been launched by the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), struck the Markale market. This renewed attack killed 43 people and wounded 75 others, further escalating tensions and prompting a decisive international response.

Consequences of the Second Shelling: NATO Intervention and Peace Accords

The second Markale attack served as a critical turning point in the Bosnian War. It was the direct catalyst for Operation Deliberate Force, a sustained aerial bombardment campaign launched by NATO against Bosnian Serb military targets. This robust intervention marked a significant shift in the international community's approach to the conflict, moving beyond diplomatic efforts to direct military action. The strategic impact of NATO's air strikes, combined with a concurrent offensive by Bosnian and Croatian forces, significantly weakened Bosnian Serb military capabilities and ultimately compelled all parties to the negotiating table. This series of events directly paved the way for the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in November 1995 in Dayton, Ohio, United States. The Accords formally ended the Bosnian War, established the complex political structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and deployed a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force (IFOR) to ensure its implementation.

The Contested Nature of the First Shelling and Legal Outcomes

While the responsibility for the second Markale shelling was unequivocally attributed to the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), the attribution for the first shelling on February 5, 1994, initially remained a subject of intense dispute and controversy. Early investigations aimed at determining the precise firing location of the fatal mortar round yielded ambiguous results, contributing to various speculative claims.

Claims of Self-Inflicted Attack and ICTY's Ruling

A particularly inflammatory claim circulated, primarily propagated by Bosnian Serb factions, asserting that the Bosnian Army (ARBiH) had, in fact, shelled its own civilian population at Markale. The purported motive behind such a heinous act, according to these claims, was to provoke stronger military intervention from Western countries in favor of the Bosnian government. However, these claims were rigorously examined by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), an ad hoc court established by the United Nations to prosecute serious crimes committed during the wars in the former Yugoslavia. In its detailed appeal judgment concerning General Stanislav Galić, a commander in the Bosnian Serb army convicted of crimes during the Siege of Sarajevo, the ICTY addressed this specific incident. The Appeals Chamber, in its 2006 judgment, meticulously summarized the available evidence, including expert testimonies and forensic analyses. It conclusively ruled that the conclusion that the shells had been fired from a location occupied by Serb forces was a reasonable one, effectively dismissing the alternative theories as unsubstantiated. Despite this definitive legal finding, Radovan Karadžić, the former President of Republika Srpska and Supreme Commander of the VRS, attempted to use these discredited claims as part of his defense strategy during his own trial before the ICTY. However, the court ultimately found him guilty of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including charges related to the terrorizing of Sarajevo's civilian population.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Markale Massacres

What were the Markale massacres?
The Markale massacres refer to two separate and devastating bombardments of the civilian marketplace in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on February 5, 1994, and August 28, 1995, during the Siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War, causing significant civilian casualties.
Who was responsible for the Markale market shellings?
The second shelling on August 28, 1995, was definitively attributed to the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS). While the responsibility for the first shelling on February 5, 1994, was initially contested, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) concluded it was reasonable to find that the shells originated from Serb-held territory.
What was the impact of the Markale shellings on the Bosnian War?
The second Markale shelling was a pivotal event that directly prompted NATO's military intervention (Operation Deliberate Force) against Bosnian Serb forces. This intervention, combined with other factors, ultimately led to the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, effectively ending the Bosnian War.