Assault on Dubrovnik
In 1991, as Yugoslavia descended into war, the historic city of Dubrovnik came under siege by the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) and military volunteers and army reservists from Montenegro and eastern Herzegovina. Though Dubrovnik was largely undefended and had no military significance, it became a target due to its symbolic importance to Croatian nationalism and history.
Politically, the attack on Dubrovnik was driven by Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic’s wider goal of establishing Greater Serbia. The JNA sought to annex the Dubrovnik area, citing disputed borders with Montenegro as justification. However, the true motive was executing long-held aspirations to absorb the region into a dominant Serbian state.
Militarily, the assault was launched in October 1991 by a force of over 20,000 JNA troops with heavy artillery, tanks, and naval support. They faced only 700 lightly armed Croatian defenders covering 115km of border. Within months, JNA overran Dubrovnik’s surroundings and suburbs, occupying strategic positions overlooking the city.
The medieval Old City came under bombardment, especially in October and November 1991. Cultural monuments like churches, palaces, and fountains were damaged by artillery, while hotels sheltering civilians were also hit. Over 600 shells rained on Dubrovnik on “Black Friday,” December 6, 1991.
Cut off by land and sea, Dubrovnik lacked water, power, and communications for months. Food was extremely limited. Around 50,000 residents endured confinement in shelters during air raids. Over 32,000 refugees fled the besieged city in 1991 alone. In total, 92 civilians including 15 children died and 140 were injured.
The world heritage site was added to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger in 1991. Despite the siege, dedicated teams in Dubrovnik took risks to repair damage and save cultural artifacts. After extensive restoration, the city was finally removed from the danger list in 1998.
In attacking Dubrovnik, the JNA knowingly targeted a defenseless medieval jewel that belonged to humanity. The Army robbed, destroyed, and killed in occupied areas with impunity. Surviving inhabitants endured imprisonment, abuse, and trauma.
Though Dubrovnik’s irreplaceable monuments were resurrected, the human toll was irreparable. The siege imposed immense suffering on civilians for nationalist conquests they did not desire. Dubrovnik’s culture was assaulted, but its spirit endured thanks to the resilience of its people.