How a sustained NATO air campaign finally forced a negotiated settlement in the Bosnian War

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1995, NATO launched Operation Deliberate Force, a three-week air campaign designed to cripple the military capabilities of the Army of Republika Srpska. By deploying hundreds of aircraft and precision-guided munitions, the alliance aimed to end the brutal siege of Sarajevo and force warring factions toward a lasting peace agreement.

Operation Deliberate Force was a pivotal military intervention conducted by NATO between 30 August and 20 September 1995. The campaign was triggered primarily by the second Markale marketplace massacre on 28 August 1995, which served as the immediate catalyst for action. Under the command of Admiral Leighton W. Smith Jr., the operation involved 400 aircraft and 5,000 personnel from 15 nations. The mission focused on undermining the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), which had repeatedly threatened UN-designated safe areas throughout the Bosnian War.

The campaign utilized 1,026 bombs, of which 708 were precision-guided, to strike 338 Bosnian Serb targets. These strikes were supported by the UNPROFOR Rapid Reaction Force, which utilized artillery on Mount Igman to target Serb positions. The operation was notable for the first combat action of the German Luftwaffe since 1945 and the use of depleted uranium munitions on 19 occasions. Despite the high-threat environment presented by the VRS integrated air defense network, NATO aircraft successfully struck 97% of their targets, causing serious damage to over 80% of them.

The intervention effectively lifted the siege of Sarajevo and compelled Bosnian Serb leaders to comply with UN conditions regarding the removal of heavy weapons from exclusion zones. By 20 September 1995, the operation was terminated as the conditions for peace were met. This military pressure paved the way for the Dayton Peace Agreement, which was subsequently enforced by a 60,000-strong peacekeeping force known as IFOR. The success of the campaign demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated air power in supporting diplomatic efforts to resolve complex international armed conflicts.

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