Aftermath
While many of the republics in Yugoslavia achieved peaceful independence from the federation, differences in ethnic ties led to major outbreaks of conflict for other republics and left a massive impact on Europes political geography and populations.populations
Slovenias Ten-Day War
Slovenian forces hit tank near international border crossing Rožna Dolina
On June 25, 1991 Slovenia was one of the first of six republics to leave Yugoslavia, which triggered an intervention of the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA), turning into a military conflict known as the Ten-Day War. It ended with a victory to Slovenian forces, forcing the JNA to withdraw it's soldiers and equipment. It is considered one of the safest separations from the federation, and was followed by Croatia, declaring independence on the exact same day as Slovenia, however the transition was nowhere near as bloodless as Slovenias.
Croatian Resistance
A Serb minority in Croatia opposed the new state, sparking rebellion with JNA and Serbia support. This led to about a third of Croatian territory falling under their control, accompanied by ethnic cleansing campaigns like the siege of Dubrovnik. Croatia retaliated in 1995, regaining only a small portion of its territory. Tens of thousands of Serbs fled, and by 1998, Croatia regained control over its entire territory.
Croatian soldiers capture a Serb cannon and truck
Bosnian Massacre
Yugoslavia's breakup triggered a deadly conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with secret agreements between Serbia and Croatia dividing the region. Over 60% voted for independence in March 1992, leading to a rebellion by Bosnian Serbs, forming a Serb republic and a separate Bosnian Croat republic. The brutal fight for territory resulted in 100,000 lives lost and forced over 2 million, half the population, to flee. Serb commander Ratko Mladić committed genocide, executing 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys, and heinous acts against non-Serb Bosnians in detention centers.
KLA members preparing to battle against Serb forces
Kosovo
The Albanian majority's push for independence from Yugoslavia in 1998 led to open rebellion by the KLA against Serbian rule. The ensuing violence, marked by Serbian targeting of civilians, prompted NATO's 78-day airstrike campaign in Kosovo. Despite Serbia's intensified persecution, President Milosevic eventually agreed to withdraw troops, resulting in the return of around 750,000 Albanian refugees and the departure of about 100,000 Serbs, nearly half of the province's Serb population.
Macedonia Insurgency
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia declares independence in 1991 and while enjoys a peaceful detachment from Yugoslav, in 2001 the ethnic Albanian National Liberation Army (NLA) clashes with security forces of the republic with the goal of gaining independence for the Albanian populated areas of the country, a conflict lead to only a few dozen deaths, little and successful in comparison to the other republics.
Macedonian Special Police Unit deployed to fight against the NLA
Serbia and Montenergo
Serbia and Montenegro, the only republics agreeing to stay in Yugoslavia, formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992. This "rump state" saw transformations, turning from a federal republic to a political union in February 2003. However, Montenegro's separation in June 2006 led to the full independence of both Serbia and Montenegro.