Monday, March 24 marked the 9th anniversary of the NATO bombing on Serbia, known then yet as Yugoslavia. Thankfully, the commemoration went peacefully, with leading Belgrade officials laying wreaths on monuments and graves of some of the victims. A memorial service was held at St. Mark's church downtown.
A brief history
For 78 days, 19 Allied members began bombing regions of Serbia and Kosovo, with some of the first bombs targeted at Belgrade. The estimated number of people killed is set between 1,200 and 2,500 people including 89 children. Over 10,000 people were injured. One of the first casualties occurred at 2am on the 24th, killing 16 (mainly young) employees at the state RTS TV station almost right next to the St. Mark's Church where today's service was held. Other bombed sites in
Belgrade included the Yugoslav Army General Staff building, the Chinese Embassy, a downtown hospital, several other military buildings, fuel tanks, virtually all RTS transmitters, and the nearby Avala TV tower.Throughout the country bridges, military sites, and places such as a chemical plant were bombed.
Some of the bombed buildings, such as the RTS (above) building and military building (right) were never repaired. Nor is there money to tear them down.
The NATO air strikes ended on June 10 when the United Nations adopted the Resolution 1244.
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