Cluster bombing of Niš
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The Cluster bombing of Niš was an event that occurred on May 7, 1999 during the Kosovo War. It was the most serious incident involving civilian deaths and the use of cluster bombs.[1]
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[edit] The attack
The mid-day NATO attack on Niš airfield, which is located on the edge of the city, killed fourteen civilians and injured twenty-eight. Cluster bomb submunitions fell in three widely separated areas: near the Pathology building of the Niš Medical Center in southeast Niš; in the town center near the Niš University Rector's Office, including the area of the central city market place, the bus station near the Niš Fortress, and the "12th February" Health Center; and near a car dealership and the "Niš Express" parking lot across the river from the fortress. Fifteen civilians were reported to have been killed in the attack.[2] NATO confirmed the attack on Niš airfield, and on May 8, NATO Secretary General Solana confirmed NATO responsibility for the attack, stating that "NATO has confirmed that the damage to the market and clinic was caused by a NATO weapon which missed its target." According to U.S. Air Force sources, the CBU-87 cluster bomb container failed to open over the airfield but opened right after release from the attacking airplane, projecting submunitions at a great distance into the city. [1]
The cluster bombs had been dropped by Dutch F16's [3]. After the incident the Dutch stopped using cluster bombs in the campaign, whereas the other NATO members kept using them. [4].
