Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia
The Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia (Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian: Autonomna Pokrajina Zapadna Bosna, Аутономна Покрајина Западна Босна) existed in the territory of present day Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1993 and 1995 as a result of secessionist politics during the Bosnian War. The capital city of Western Bosnia was Velika Kladuša (located in territory of present day Una-Sana Canton).
History
The Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia was established in 1993 by the local Bosniaks, which opposed the central government in Sarajevo. The acting President of Western Bosnia was Fikret Abdić. The Autonomous Province collaborated with the Serbia as well as Croatia in the Bosnian War.
The territory of Western Bosnia was seized by the Bosnian government troops in 1994, but they were expelled later that year, and the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia was restored.
The Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia was renamed to Republic of Western Bosnia (Republika Zapadna Bosna, Република Западна Босна) in 1995 and the same year served as the last line of defence of the Republic of Serbian Krajina in Croatia during Operation Storm. It was soon militarily defeated by the joint Croatian and Bosnian army and incorporated into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (present day Una-Sana Canton). Fikret Abdić faces trial for breaking the customs of war in Croatia.
Images
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Flag of the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia in 1993
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Flag of the Republic of Western Bosnia in 1995 -
Coat of Arms of Western Bosnia
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Map of Yugoslavia during war, showing the location of Western Bosnia
