Battle of Mojmilo Ridge

Battle of Mojmilo Ridge
Part of the Siege of Sarajevo
Date 8-11 June 1992 Location Mojmilo Ridge, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Result Bosniak victory
Belligerents
Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina	Army of Republika Srpska
Commanders and leaders
Esad Pelko	Unknown
Units involved
Local Forces, Police	Unknown
Strength
Unknown	500 troops, 2 transporters, 4 tanks [1] [2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	During the engagement, four Serb tanks were destroyed and the remaining forces withdrew south, gaining no ground. [3] [4] [5]

Battle of Mojmilo Ridge was an engagement during the Siege of Sarajevo in 1992, in which Bosnian government forces captured and held Mojmilo Ridge, southwest of the city, removing a sniper threat to Sarajevo's southwestern neighborhoods. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

Background

Sarajevo was besieged by Bosnian Serb forces and remnants of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) throughout 1992. Mojmilo Ridge was a critical position providing the Serb forces with a sniper advantage over southwestern parts of Sarajevo. The defense of the city relied on a combination of government police, local militias, support.. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]} Control of Mojmilo Hill was strategically significant, as it hindered enemy advancements toward key military installations such as the "Viktor Bubanj" and Nedžarići barracks. This defensive effort also thwarted attempts to encircle the Dobrinja area, contributing to the broader defense of the region. ^[8]

Battle

In June 1992, the Bosnian Government launched a coordinated operation to secure Mojmilo Ridge, a strategic high ground southwest of Sarajevo. The area had been used by Bosnian Serb forces to target the city with snipers and sporadic artillery fire. The ridge's capture was essential to reduce threats to the southwestern neighborhoods of Sarajevo. ^[6]

The JNA attempted a major escalation against the city by sending two armored columns from garrisons outside Sarajevo. One column advanced from the west near the airport but was halted by improvised government defenses in the Stup neighborhood. Another column moved north from the Lukavica barracks toward the government-controlled city center. Bosnian forces, repelled the advance using Molotov cocktails, rifle grenades, and a makeshift artillery piece. Four tanks were destroyed, and the remaining vehicles retreated south with no ground gained, marking a significant psychological victory for Sarajevo's defenders. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

Following these clashes, the Bosnian Government organized attacks to secure hilltop positions overlooking the city. Their efforts were met with resistance, but they successfully captured Mojmilo Ridge. While some gains were temporary due to counterattacks and artillery fire, retaining control of the ridge removed the sniper threat to key parts of the city, providing Sarajevo with a crucial defensive advantage during the ongoing siege. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

See also

• Battle of Žuč

References

1. "30. GODIŠNJICA ODBRANE BRDA MOJMILA: Mještani, patriote zajedno i organizovano su uspjeli 1992. godine odbraniti svoje kućne pragove od agresora". June 10, 2022.
2. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015051811043&seq=191&q1=psychological+victory&format=plaintext
3. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015051811043&seq=191&format=plaintext
4. "Obilježena godišnjica odbrane: Branioci brda Mojmilo dostojanstveno su branili čast i slobodu svoje domovine | Vlada Kantona Sarajevo". vlada.ks.gov.ba.
5. "Godišnjica bitke za Mojmilo: Detalji jedne od najvažnijih bitaka za Sarajevo". radiosarajevo.ba. June 11, 2018.
6. Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990-1995, p. 153-154, HathiTrust
7. "Obilježena godišnjica odbrane: Branioci brda Mojmilo dostojanstveno su branili čast i slobodu svoje domovine | Vlada Kantona Sarajevo". vlada.ks.gov.ba. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
8. amina (2022-06-10). "30. GODIŠNJICA ODBRANE BRDA MOJMILA: Mještani, patriote zajedno i organizovano su uspjeli 1992. godine odbraniti svoje kućne pragove od agresora". Općina Novi Grad Sarajevo (in Bosnian). Retrieved 2025-09-14.
9. "Godišnjica bitke za Mojmilo: Detalji jedne od najvažnijih bitaka za Sarajevo". radiosarajevo.ba (in Bosnian). 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2025-09-14.