1 x 66 mins

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was the major flashpoint of the Yugoslav Wars and the scene of the longest siege in modern history. On 2 May, Bosnian Serb forces besieged Sarajevo and began indiscriminately terrorizing the civilian population.

Canadian soldiers were vital to the efforts to help bring peace to Sarajevo, especially in July 1992, when the Sarajevo Airport – the besieged city’s only lifeline – came under control of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). Canadian Major-General Lewis MacKenzie commanded the Sarajevo mission conducted by 1,000 Canadian peacekeepers. There was no peace to keep in the midst of a brutal interstate conflict and, as a result, the Canadians used aggressive tactics to protect the airport, deliver humanitarian aid, and keep their own people alive. Canadian peacekeepers saved the lives of tens of thousands of people and helped begin the peace process in the embattled Balkans.

Producers: Barry Stevens, David York
Written and Directed By: Barry Stevens
CoProducer: Bryn Hughes
Director of Photography: Brian Kelly
Editor: Nick Hector
Music: David Wall