In the spring of 1992, as the Yugoslav Wars intensified, the town of Kozarac in Bosnia and Herzegovina became a focal point for ethnic violence. Serbian military and police forces launched a systematic operation directed against the Bosniak population, with the intent to remove them from the area through intimidation, violence, and forced expulsion. On May 24, 1992, these forces initiated a coordinated assault that involved not only armed attacks but also engaged in acts of murder, torture, and sexual violence. Civilians were rounded up, and many were taken to concentration camps where further atrocities were committed.

The attack on Kozarac was characterized by its sheer brutality, with reports of mass killings and the destruction of property. The local Bosniak community faced horrific violence as they were systematically targeted based on their ethnicity. Residents who attempted to defend themselves were met with severe retaliation from the militia. Concurrently, many were displaced from their homes, leading to a humanitarian crisis as thousands sought refuge elsewhere, often fleeing to neighboring towns and countries. This operation was part of a broader strategy employed by Serbian forces to create an ethnically homogenous territory through the suppression of non-Serb populations.

As the military campaign progressed, the international community began to take notice, yet initial responses were limited. Photographs and testimonies of the brutal treatment of civilians eventually garnered global attention, shedding light on the gravity of the situation in Kozarac and larger conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ethnic cleansing in Kozarac not only shaped the immediate environment but also established a precedent for the type of violence that would follow in the region, leading to further escalation and the eventual intervention of international forces later in the conflict.