Minister Anušić: In the Operation Maslenica, we showed the readiness and strength of the Croatian Armed Forces

A ceremonial programme was held in Zadar and its hinterland to mark the 32nd anniversary of the military and police operation Maslenica 1993, a crucial action in the Homeland War that played a decisive role in liberating the occupied areas of Croatia and establishing the connection between the north and south of the country.

Anušić: The Croatian Armed Forces grew into a much stronger military force

Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, emphasized that the military and police operation Maslenica was one of the first major operations of the Croatian Armed Forces, which proved that the Croatian Armed Forces, just two years later, were ready to conduct the largest operations of the Homeland War – Operations Bljesak and Oluja.

“It was quite clear that in the Operation Maslenica, we successfully demonstrated the organization, readiness, and strength of the Croatian Armed Forces. Afterward, the Croatian Armed Forces grew into a much stronger military force. In 1995, in the military and police operation Oluja, the CAF liberated the occupied territories of Croatia from Serbian aggressors. Glory to all those who gave their lives in the Operation Maslenica,” said Minister Anušić, who volunteered to participate in the 1993 operation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian War Veterans Tomo Medved said that the Operation

Maslenica, conducted in January 1993, sent a key message from Zadar and its hinterland to the Croatian people – that the Croatian defence forces were capable of liberating every inch of their country. At the same time, the Operation sent a clear message to the enemy that the Croatian Armed Forces had grown into a strong military force able to defend and liberate its country.

“By liberating the Maslenica Gorge, placing a pontoon bridge, and later constructing a permanent bridge, an unhindered passage was created between the north and south of our country. These are the achievements we remember. We mark this anniversary, and it will be marked by generations to come to ensure that the courage, heroism, and sacrifices made by our war veterans and by our people during the Greater Serbian aggression are never forgotten,” Minister Medved said.

32nd anniversary of Operation Maslenica was marked by a series of events

Wreath-laying ceremonies and candle lighting took place to honour the fallen, missing, and deceased Croatian war veterans who participated in the Operation Maslenica 1993 and in our country’s defence, at various locations, including the central Zadar cemetery, the memorials of the 3rd Battalion “Imotski Sokolovi” and the 4th Guard Brigade “Pauci”, at the Kocka memorial to the fallen Croatian war veterans in the Jazine Bay, at the memorial of the 3rd Guard Brigade “Kune” in Kašić, and at the 4th Guard Brigade “Pauci” at Zeleni Hrast in Islam Latinski, as well as on the northern side of the Maslenica Bridge. The ceremony gathered numerous war veterans, their family members, and citizens who paid tribute to all the fallen and missing heroes of the Homeland War.

The anniversary commemoration was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian War Veterans Tomo Medved, the Croatian Army Commander as an envoy of the Croatian President, Major General Blaž Beretin, the Croatian Air Force Commander, Major General Michael Križanec, the Croatian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral (LH) Damir Dojkić, the Support Command Deputy Commander, Brigadier General Ivan Raos, as well as many current and former CAF commanders, and local and regional government representatives.

At the end of the commemoration, a mass was held at the Church of Our Lady Protector of Christians in Paljuh, and the Church of St. Francis in Podprag. The programme marking the 32nd anniversary will continue until March 2 including various sports events, documentary films, and educational and historical programmes dedicated to preserving the memory of the military and police operation Maslenica 1993.