TWELFTH BABY DIED AMID MUSLIM-CROAT BLOCKADE

BIJELJINA, JUNE 18 /SRNA/ – The twelfth baby died at the Banja Luka hospital on June 19, 1992, due to a shortage of medical oxygen after humanitarian deliveries by air to the western part of Republika Srpska were not permitted by the United States and other Western countries.

The first of the 12 infants died on May 22, 1992, during a period marked by a severe shortage of oxygen supplies.

The oxygen crisis resulted from the blockade of Serb-held territory by Croatian and Muslim military forces in the Posavina region.

The deaths of the babies, along with growing shortages of essential goods, became one of the reasons for launching the major military operation "Corridor 92", during which the Army of Republika Srpska clashed with Croatian and Muslim forces.

The fighting lasted from June 14 to June 26, 1992, and ended with the breaking of the blockade.

The military operation later became known as the "Corridor of Life" battle, a historic victory that began with an order attributed to Army of Republika Srpska General Momir Talić: "I will not allow children to die".