SAO Bosanska Krajina

Serbian Autonomous Oblast
of Bosanska Krajina

Српска аутономна област Босанска Крајина
Srpska autonomna oblast Bosanska Krajina

1991–1992

Flag

Status

Self-proclaimed entity

Capital

Banja Luka
44°46′N 17°11′E / 44.767°N 17.183°E / 44.767; 17.183

Government

Provisional government

Historical era

Breakup of Yugoslavia

• Established

1991

• Disestablished

1992

Preceded by

Succeeded by

Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Republika Srpska (1992–95)

The Serbian Autonomous Oblast of Bosanska Krajina (Serbian: Српска aутономна област Босанска Крајина, romanized: Srpska autonomna oblast Bosanska Krajina) was a self-proclaimed Serbian Autonomous Oblast within today's Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was sometimes called the Autonomous Oblast of Krajina, or the Autonomous Region of Krajina (ARK).^[1] SAO Bosanska Krajina was located in the geographical region named Bosanska Krajina. Its capital was Banja Luka.^[2] The region was subsequently included into Republika Srpska.

History

The SAO Bosanska Krajina developed between summer and autumn of 1991 in preparation for a step to independence being taken by Bosnia like Slovenia and Croatia had done. The goal was to have areas where Serbs had a majority or a significant portion of population prevent such independence. The Serbs for this created three Serbian autonomous districts and one Serbian autonomous region (SAO Bosanska Krajina being the region).

The SAO Bosanska Krajina was created from the Community (Association) of Bosanska Krajina Municipalities, with the exception that it did not include the region known as Cazinska Krajina or Prijedor municipality at first. Other similar situations were done in other Associations of Municipalities (or Community of Municipalities) in Bosnia, which were a type of government created under the Constitution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

On 16 September 1991, the Association of Bosanska Krajina Municipalities was transformed into the Autonomous Region of Krajina (ARK),^[3] which came to include (amongst others) the following municipalities: Banja Luka, Bihać-Ripač, Bosanska Dubica, Bosanska Gradiška, Bosanska Krupa, Bosanski Novi, Bosanski Petrovac, Čelinac, Donji Vakuf, Ključ, Kotor Varoš, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Šipovo and Teslić. A separate Assembly of the Serb People in Bosnia and Herzegovina was established on 24 October 1991, dominated by the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS). It declared that the Serb people wished to remain in Yugoslavia.^[4] On 9 January 1992, that Assembly adopted a declaration on the proclamation of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[5] The geographical area comprising the ARK thus became part of the proclaimed Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[1]

Unlike the other SAOs in Bosnia which were formed over between the summer and fall, the SAO Bosanska Krajina was officially formed on April 25, 1991, but under the name ARK (Autonomous Region of Krajina — referring to Bosanska Krajina). There were attempts during the summer of 1991 to merge it with SAO Krajina. On September 12 its name was officially changed to SAO Bosanska Krajina.

References

^ ^a ^b ICTY - Radoslav Brdjanin verdict
^ Map
^ Medić, Jasmin. "THE INFLUENCE OF WAR IN CROATIA TO EVENTS IN BOSANSKA KRAJINA DURING 1991" (PDF). p. 374.
^ Trbovich 2008, p. 224.
^ Trbovich 2008, p. 228.

Sources

Trbovich, Ana S. (2008). A Legal Geography of Yugoslavia's Disintegration. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-533343-5.

External links

Bosnian War

Part of the Yugoslav Wars

Belligerents

Bosniak side	Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina 1st Corps 2nd Corps 3rd Corps 4th Corps 5th Corps 6th Corps 7th Corps Paramilitary Patriotic League Green Berets Croatian Defence Forces
Croat side	Croatian Defence Council 1OZ 2OZ 3OZ 4OZ Paramilitary Croatian Defence Forces Knights
Serb side	Army of Republika Srpska 1st Krajina Corps 2nd Krajina Corps 3rd Corps East Bosnia Corps Herzegovina Corps Sarajevo-Romanija Corps Drina Corps Paramilitary Wolves of Vučjak White Eagles Serb Volunteer Guard Scorpions Yellow Wasps
Western Bosnian side	National Defence of the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia

Prelude

Milošević–Tuđman Karađorđevo meeting
Zulfikarpašić–Karadžić agreement
RAM Plan
Serb Autonomous Regions
- Bosanska Krajina
- Herzegovina
- North-East Bosnia
- Romanija
Establishment of the Croatian Community of Herzeg Bosnia
Establishment of Republika Srpska
Bosnia and Herzegovina independence referendum
Sarajevo wedding attack
Declaration of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Battle of Bosanski Brod
Sijekovac killings
Bijeljina massacre
1992 anti-war protests in Sarajevo

1992

1993

1994

1995

Internment camps

Aspects

Timeline of the Bosnian War (Timeline of the Croat–Bosniak War)

Category
Commons

Yugoslav Wars

Wars and conflicts

Log Revolution (1990)
Slovenian War of Independence (1991)
Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995)
Bosnian War (1992–1995)
- Croat–Bosniak War (1992–1994)
Kosovo War (1998–99)
Insurgency in the Preševo Valley (1999–2001)
2001 insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia (2001)

Background

Anti-war protests

Ex-Yugoslav republics

Unrecognized entities

Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK)
Republika Srpska (RS)
- SAO Bosanska Krajina
- SAO Herzegovina
- SAO North-Eastern Bosnia
- SAO Romanija
Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia (HRHB)
Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia (APZB)
Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia

United Nations protectorate

UNTAES
UNMIK

Armies

Yugoslav People's Army (JNA)
Yugoslav Territorial Defence (TO)
Slovenian Territorial Defence (TORS)
Yugoslav Army (VJ)
Croatian Army (HV)
BiH Territorial Defence (TORBIH)
Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH)
Army of Republika Srpska (VRS)
Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina (SVK)
Croatian Defence Council (HVO)
Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)
National Liberation Army (NLA)
Liberation Army of Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac (LAPMB)

Military formations and volunteers

External factors

Politicians

Top military commanders

Other notable commanders

Key foreign figures

partially recognized states

Republic of Kosova

v t e Croatian War of Independence
Part of the Yugoslav Wars
Prelude	Log Revolution SAO Krajina
1991	Pakrac clash Plitvice Lakes incident Siege of Kijevo Battle of Borovo Selo 1991 riot in Zadar 1991 protest in Split SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia 1991 killings of Serbs in Vukovar Sisak killings Tenja killings Operation Stinger Dalj massacre Operation Labrador SAO Western Slavonia Banija villages killings Battle of Vukovar Battle of Osijek Battle of Gospić Petrinja killings Berak killings Battle of Kusonje Četekovac massacre Battle of the Barracks Siege of Varaždin Barracks Siege of Bjelovar Barracks Battle of Zadar Battle of Šibenik 1991 Yugoslav campaign in Croatia Korana bridge killings Tovarnik massacre Siege of Dubrovnik Novo Selo Glinsko massacre Bombing of Banski dvori Široka Kula massacre Lovas killings Gospić massacre Baćin massacre Saborsko massacre Požega villages massacre Operation Otkos 10 Battle of Logorište Poljanak and Vukovići massacres Erdut killings Pula incident Battle of the Dalmatian channels Kostrići massacre Škabrnja massacre Vukovar massacre Novska murders Vance plan Murder of the Zec family Operation Whirlwind Paulin Dvor massacre Gornje Jame massacre Operation Orkan 91 Voćin massacre Joševica massacre Operation Devil's Beam Mašićka Šagovina killings Bruška massacre Vrsar airport bombing
1992	Sarajevo Agreement 1992 European Community Monitor Mission helicopter downing Operation Baranja Operation Jackal Battle of the Miljevci Plateau Operation Tiger (1992) Operation Liberated Land Battle of Konavle Operation Vlaštica
1993–94	Operation Maslenica Daruvar Agreement Operation Backstop Operation Medak Pocket Z-4 Plan Operation Winter '94
1995	Operation Leap 1 Operation Flash Medari massacre Zagreb rocket attack Operation Leap 2 Operation Summer '95 Operation Storm Kijani killings Golubić killings Uzdolje killings Bosanski Petrovac refugee column bombing Dvor massacre Komić killings Gošić killings Varivode massacre Operation Maestral 2
Timeline of the Croatian War of Independence
Internment camps	Begejci camp Bučje camp Kerestinec camp Knin camp Kuline prison camp Lora prison camp Marino Selo camp Ovčara camp Pakračka Poljana camp Sremska Mitrovica prison camp Stajićevo camp Velepromet camp
Other	Independence of Croatia Persecution of Croats in Serbia during the war in Croatia Erdut Agreement (UNTAES)
Category Commons

Bosnian War

Part of the Yugoslav Wars

Belligerents

Bosniak side	Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina 1st Corps 2nd Corps 3rd Corps 4th Corps 5th Corps 6th Corps 7th Corps Paramilitary Patriotic League Green Berets Croatian Defence Forces
Croat side	Croatian Defence Council 1OZ 2OZ 3OZ 4OZ Paramilitary Croatian Defence Forces Knights
Serb side	Army of Republika Srpska 1st Krajina Corps 2nd Krajina Corps 3rd Corps East Bosnia Corps Herzegovina Corps Sarajevo-Romanija Corps Drina Corps Paramilitary Wolves of Vučjak White Eagles Serb Volunteer Guard Scorpions Yellow Wasps
Western Bosnian side	National Defence of the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia

Prelude

Milošević–Tuđman Karađorđevo meeting
Zulfikarpašić–Karadžić agreement
RAM Plan
Serb Autonomous Regions
- Bosanska Krajina
- Herzegovina
- North-East Bosnia
- Romanija
Establishment of the Croatian Community of Herzeg Bosnia
Establishment of Republika Srpska
Bosnia and Herzegovina independence referendum
Sarajevo wedding attack
Declaration of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Battle of Bosanski Brod
Sijekovac killings
Bijeljina massacre
1992 anti-war protests in Sarajevo

1992

1993

1994

1995

Internment camps

Aspects

Timeline of the Bosnian War (Timeline of the Croat–Bosniak War)

Category
Commons

Breakup of Yugoslavia

Overview

Breakup of Yugoslavia (1991–1992)

Timeline of the breakup of Yugoslavia (1980–2008)

Background

Josip Broz Tito (until 1980)
Brotherhood and unity (until 1990)
League of Communists of Yugoslavia (until 1990)
Croatian Spring (1967–1971)
1981 protests in Kosovo
Islamic Declaration (1983)
SANU Memorandum (1986)
Contributions to the Slovene National Program (1987)
Slovene Spring (1987–1988)
Agrokomerc Affair (1987)
8th Session of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Serbia (1987)
JBTZ trial (1988)
Hyperinflation in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1980s)

Events and actors

Anti-bureaucratic revolution (1988–1989)
Gazimestan speech (1989)
14th Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia (1990)
Independence of Croatia (1989–1992)
Log Revolution (1990–1991)
Milošević–Tuđman Karađorđevo meeting (1991)
RAM Plan (1991)
Brioni Agreement (1991)
Role of the media in the breakup of Yugoslavia
Arbitration Commission of the Peace Conference on Yugoslavia (1991–1993)

v t e Independence referendums in Yugoslavia
Republics and provinces	Slovenia (1990) Croatia (1991) Macedonia (1991) Kosovo (1991) Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992) Montenegro (1992) Montenegro (2006)
Autonomy	SAO Krajina (1990) Sandžak (1991) Srpska (1991) Ilirida (1992) Eastern Slavonia (1997) Macedonia (2004)

Consequences

Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
Ethnic cleansing
Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995)
Ten-Day War (1991)
Bosnian War (1992–1995)
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–)
Graz agreement (1992)
Sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–2001)
Hyperinflation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–1994)
Dayton Agreement (1996)
Joint Criminal Enterprise
Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control (1996)
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (1993–2017)
Overthrow of Slobodan Milošević (2000)

Nationalism

Category

Category
Commons

Timeline of Yugoslav statehood

	Pre–1918	1918–1929	1929–1945	1941–1945	1945–1946	1946–1963	1963–1992	1992–2003	2003–2006	2006–2008	2008–
Slovenia	Part of Austria-Hungary including the Bay of Kotor See also Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia 1868–1918 Kingdom of Dalmatia 1815–1918 Condominium of Bosnia and Herzegovina 1878–1918	Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (1918–1929) Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1929–1945) See also State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs 1918 Republic of Prekmurje 1919 Banat, Bačka and Baranja 1918–1919 Free State of Fiume 1920–1924 1924–1945 Italian province of Zadar 1920–1947		Annexed by^a Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany and Hungary	Democratic Federal Yugoslavia 1945–1946 Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia 1946–1963 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1963–1992 Consisted of the Socialist Republics of Slovenia (1945–1991) Croatia (1945–1991) Bosnia and Herzegovina (1945–1992) Serbia (1945–1992) (included the autonomous provinces of Vojvodina and Kosovo) Montenegro (1945–1992) Macedonia (1945–1991) See also Free Territory of Trieste (1947–1954) ^j			Republic of Slovenia Ten-Day War
Dalmatia				Independent State of Croatia 1941–1945 Puppet state of Nazi Germany. Parts annexed by Fascist Italy. Međimurje and Baranja annexed by Hungary.				Republic of Croatia^b Croatian War of Independence
Slavonia
Croatia
Bosnia								Bosnia and Herzegovina^c Bosnian War Consists of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995–present), Republika Srpska (1995–present) and Brčko District (2000–present).
Herzegovina
Vojvodina	Part of the Délvidék region of Hungary			Autonomous Banat^d (part of the German Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia)				Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Consisted of the Republic of Serbia (1992–2006) and Republic of Montenegro (1992–2006)	State Union of Serbia and Montenegro	Republic of Serbia Included the autonomous provinces of Vojvodina and, under UN administration, Kosovo and Metohija	Republic of Serbia Includes the autonomous province of Vojvodina
Serbia	Kingdom of Serbia 1882–1918			Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia 1941–1944 ^e
Kosovo	Part of the Kingdom of Serbia 1912–1918			Mostly annexed by Albania 1941–1944 along with western Macedonia and south-eastern Montenegro							Republic of Kosovo
Metohija	Kingdom of Montenegro 1910–1918 Metohija controlled by Austria-Hungary 1915–1918
Montenegro				Protectorate of Montenegro^f 1941–1944						Montenegro
Vardar Macedonia	Part of the Kingdom of Serbia 1912–1918			Annexed by the Kingdom of Bulgaria 1941–1944				Republic of North Macedonia^h
^a Prekmurje annexed by Hungary. ^b See also SAO Kninska Krajina (1990) → SAO Krajina (1990–1991); and SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia (1990–1991), SAO Western Slavonia (1990–1991) and the Republic of Serbian Krajina (1990–1995), all replaced by the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (1996–1998). ^c See also Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia; and the Serbian Autonomous Oblasts (SAOs) of Bosanska Krajina, North-East Bosnia, Romanija and Herzegovina (1991–1992), which all combined to form the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992–1995). ^d Bačka was reannexed by Hungary (1941–1944), while Syrmia was annexed by the Independent State of Croatia (1941–1944). ^e See also Republic of Užice. ^f Annexed by Fascist Italy (1941–1943) and Nazi Germany (1943–1944). Smaller part annexed by the Independent State of Croatia (1941–1944).							^h North Macedonia's official and constitutional name was the Republic of Macedonia until 2019. It was known in the United Nations as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia because of a naming dispute with Greece. ^j Free Territory was established in 1947. Its administration was divided into two areas (Zone A) and (Zone B). Free Territory was de facto taken over by Italy and SFRY in 1954.