The primary cause of the war in the Balkans in the 1990s was the dissolution of Yugoslavia, which led to ethnic tensions and nationalist conflicts. As the central government weakened, different ethnic groups, particularly Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, sought autonomy and sovereignty. The rise of nationalist leaders fueled aggressive secessionist movements, culminating in a series of brutal conflicts characterized by ethnic cleansing, widespread violence, and humanitarian crises. The wars severely disrupted the Balkans, leading to significant loss of life and displacement. International intervention eventually followed, but the conflicts left deep scars on the region and continue to influence politics today.