Deteriorating Situation in Srebrenica
National Security Archive
The Dutch battalion's commanding officer, Col. Thom Karremans, reports to his superiors in Tuzla and Sarajevo that early in the morning on July 6, 1995, the Bosnian Serb Army (BSA) started shelling the Dutch battalion (Dutchbat) headquarters and the town of Srebrenica. Writing on July 9, Karremans d
Source: Deteriorating Situation in Srebrenica Date: Jul 9, 1995 Archive: International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY) Collection: Road to Dayton paved with genocide Nov 23, 2015
3HC FWD, CHIEF OF STAFF TEL: 8731301531 12.Aug.95 8:16 No.005 P.10
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UN CONFIDENTIAL
Commanding Officer 1(NL)UN Infbn (Dutchbat3) Compound POTOCARI SREBRENICA Bosnia-Herzegovina
Commander Bosnia-Herzegovina Command HQ UNPROFOR SARAJEVO
Thru:
Commander Sector North East TUZLA
9 July 1995
Nr: TK95\13
Ref: TK95\12 of 7 July 1995
Subject: Deteriorating situation in SREBRENICA
BACKGROUND
As of Thursday 6 July 1995 at sunrise the BSA started of-fensive operations by attacking several ABiH positions along the CL and by shelling OPs, batallion HQ and SREBRENICA itself. By ref, I did inform you about the deteriorating situ-ation including an overview of civilian casualties till that very moment. I also did express my concerns about the military and humanitarian situation in and around the enclave and gave an assessment of the possibilities to be explored by the BSA.
During three days these operations have been executed by all means: attacking ABiH and UN positions, shelling the enclave and suppressing Dutchbat thru intimidation by using artillery, mortars and MLRS (M-63 and M-77) overhead compound POTOCARI with over 200 soldiers. Most of my OPs have been shot by mortars. BSA does exactly know what they are doing and till how far they can go. They do execute their operations accor-ding to a predominated and well-organised plan.
Yesterday at 1400 hrs, OP(NL)F did receive another three hits by T-55 while ABiH positions were allready left due to heavy fighting and have been disabled. The OP-crew managed to abandon the OP by APC under the threat of that T-55. During their withdrawal, local ABiH tried to stop them by blockading the road. At that moment one of the soldiers has been shot and died in the field dressing station afterwards.
At 1840 hrs both OP(NL)U and OP(NL)S were surrounded by BSA forces and ordered to surrender. For both crews there was no way turning back because of the resistance by the ABiH troops in positions in depth.
UN CONFIDENTIAL
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IHC FWD, CHIEF OF STAFF TEL: 8731301531 12.Aug.95 8:16 No.005 P.11 3 /
UN CONFIDENTIAL
SITUATION
Both OP-crews are now in BSA territory with their APC and most of their equipment. In my opinion, the soldiers will be treated by courtesy, however their APCs including ammo and equipment will be lost. I was able to communicate with them: they do fine till now.
The situation in and around the enclave is extremely tense again. At this moment Swedish Shelter Project in the south has been shelled. All refugees and inhabitants of villages in the surroundings left their houses and entered the town of SREBRENICA, about 3 to 4 thousand persons.
COMMANDERS ASSESSMENT
Now the BSA has overtaken several positions in the south-eastern part of the enclave and created their 'freedom of movement' around ZELENI JADAR [the vicinity of former OP(NL)E] and the road towards JASENOVA and the mining-area, they will proceed their operations in western direction through JADAR valley up to mount KAK. I did express these concerns allready last month.
Proceeding their operations does mean that OP(NL)K and OP(NL)D in the south will be pushed out as well. The BSA will be able to execute these offensive actions according to their plans as mentioned in par. 2. By that time they will have full control over the southern part of the enclave.
If they manage to reach their objectives - which in my opinion they can in due time - then two possible goals are left. Firstly the conquest of the entire enclave, secondly the the enhancement of the occupation of the southern part.
Using CAS in all possible ways is in my opinion not feasible yet. It will provoke the BSA in such way that both SREBRENICA itself and OPs and compounds will be targeted by all means. Especially the MLRS M-63 north of OP(NL)P, the MLRS M-77 within BRATUNAC and all their artillery and mortars will launch their missiles and rounds at fixed targets. Unless these weaponsystems could be eliminated in once which is hardly impossible.
For your information.
CO-1(NL)UN Infbn Dutchbat 3
Karremans,Th.J.P. Lieutenant Colonel
UN CONFIDENTIAL 00441559