President and Prime Minister Mark 31st Anniversary of 'Operation Storm' in Knin. Milanović Warns of Serbia's Rearmament, Plenković Highlights Operation's Significance for BiH.
The central celebration of the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation "Operation Storm" was held in Knin, where top state officials gathered. President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković delivered speeches highlighting the historical significance of the operation while also addressing current security challenges in the region.
In his address, President Milanović emphasized the crucial role of the Croatian Army in ending the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Without the Croatian Army, there would be no Dayton," Milanović said, referring to the peace agreement that halted the conflict.
He paid special attention to regional relations, focusing on Serbia's military buildup. He stated that Croatia should not react to every verbal provocation coming from the East, but that what is happening in the material sphere must be taken seriously. "Croatia won the war, and Serbia is rearming and constantly saying that 'Operation Storm' will never happen again," the President warned, adding that such behavior directly impacts Croatian security and requires additional financial expenditures.
Prime Minister Plenković began his address by recalling the victims of Slobodan Milošević's regime and the issue of missing defenders. He emphasized that "Operation Storm" was a brilliant military victory that prevented a humanitarian catastrophe in Bihać and fundamentally changed the balance of power in BiH, paving the way for the Dayton Agreement.
Earlier, Plenković congratulated citizens on Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, Croatian Defenders Day, and the 31st anniversary of the operation via social media, calling it a magnificent triumph that turned the tide of Croatian history. With special reverence, he remembered the first Croatian President Franjo Tuđman and all those who gave their lives for freedom, stressing that their sacrifice obliges us to preserve the truth, search for the missing, and build peace based on justice.
Defense Minister Ivan Anušić reflected on the emotional charge of today's date. He admitted that impressions are mixed, but feelings of pride and joy prevail. He reminded that few gave Croatia a chance in 1991, yet by 1995, it managed to win the war and secure a free, independent state.
The commemoration traditionally included a demonstration of the armed forces' capabilities. Visitors could see flyovers by Rafale fighter jets and a number of helicopters. Before the official program, a government delegation led by the Prime Minister laid a wreath and lit a candle at the Monument to the Croatian Victory "Storm 95". A holy mass for fallen, deceased, and missing defenders followed at the Church of Our Lady of the Great Croatian Baptismal Vow, led by Military Ordinary Monsignor Jure Bogdan.
