The conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina emerged from the disintegration of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which had been held together by a delicate balance among its ethnic groups: the Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. After Slovenia and Croatia declared independence in 1991, Bosnia and Herzegovina followed suit on March 3, 1992, amid a backdrop of rising nationalism. This independence was met with resistance, particularly from Bosnian Serbs who wanted to remain within a Greater Serbia. In early April, the situation escalated as Serbia's paramilitary forces and Bosnian Serb troops began to implement their agenda using military force. Significant incidents included violent clashes, the siege of towns, and the beginning of systematic ethnic cleansing, characterized by attacks on civilian populations.Sarajevo, the capital, became a critical battleground, witnessing a siege that lasted nearly four years and resulted in devastating casualties and widespread destruction. The conflicts developed along ethnic lines, drawing in various factions and leading to a humanitarian crisis. International reactions varied, with diplomatic efforts ongoing but often proving ineffective in deterring violence or protecting civilians. The Bosnian War would lead to significant geopolitical consequences, including military interventions and long-standing regional instability, reshaping the Balkans and international relations during the 1990s.