The assault on Srebrenica, which began on July 6, 1995, was a critical episode in the Bosnian War, showcasing the volatility and brutal nature of the conflict. Srebrenica had been established as a 'safe area' by the United Nations in 1993, aimed at providing refuge for Bosniak civilians escaping the ethnic cleansing occurring across Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the effectiveness of this mandate was severely limited by a lack of military resources and adequate protection, leading to an ongoing sense of insecurity for its inhabitants.

Under the leadership of General Ratko Mladić, the Bosnian Serb Army launched a systematic offensive against Srebrenica, which had been under the protection of Dutch peacekeepers. The initial assault led to the capture of the town and the surrounding areas. As Serbian forces overwhelmed the Bosnian defenders, many civilians fled toward the UN base, seeking safety. The situation quickly escalated into a mass exodus, with thousands of people trapped in an increasingly dire humanitarian situation.

The events following this offensive culminated in what would be recognized as the Srebrenica massacre, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were executed. This attack marked a significant turning point not just in the war, but in international perception and response to ethnic violence, leading to increased scrutiny of UN peacekeeping effectiveness and subsequent military interventions in the region.