“30 years ago, Croatian troops destroyed Mostar Bridge: Remembering the devastating moment”
Newly Released Footage Shows Croatian Troops Targeting Mostar Bridge During Bosnian War
Recently released footage by the Mostar Soldiers Union (JOB) and the Mostar Peace and Multi-Ethnic Cooperation Center shows the destruction of the famous Mostar Bridge during the Bosnian War. The footage, captured by Croatian Defense Council (HVO) troops stationed near the bridge, shows the destruction of the bridge from their perspective.
In a written statement, it was revealed that the Croatian troops recorded the moment of the collapse of the bridge, targeting the most sensitive points of the bridge. The video also captures the soldiers’ congratulatory speeches and insults directed at Bosnians after the targeted shootings on the bridge.
Safet Orucevic, Director of the Mostar Center for Peace and Multi-Ethnic Cooperation, stated that they found the records by chance and are urging people to watch the video and see what Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mostar went through during the war.
The Mostar Bridge, built in 1566 by Architect Hayreddin, was one of the most important Ottoman works in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, it could not withstand intense artillery fire launched by the artillery units of the HVO on 8 November 1993, and was destroyed at 10:16 a day later during the Bosnian War. This bridge has connected different cultures and civilizations for centuries, the destruction of which was an event that attracted the most reaction of the world public opinion during Bosnia’s war.
Rebuilt in accordance with its original form and reopened in 2004 with the support of some countries and international organizations, including Turkey, the Mostar Bridge and its surrounding area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
