Republic of Serbian Krajina

Republic of Serbian Krajina
Marko Maljkovic and Vladimir Jovanic / Марко Маљковић и Владимир Јовановић · Public domain · source
Conventional long name	Republic of Serbian Krajina
Common name	Serbian Krajina
Status	Unrecognized state
Era	Yugoslav Wars
Year start	1991
Date start	19 December
Year end	1995
Date end	7 August
P1	Socialist Republic of Croatia
S1	Croatia
Capital	Knin
Common languages	Serbian
Government type	Republic
Title leader	President
Leader1	Milan Babić
Year leader1	1991–1992
Leader2	Goran Hadžić
Year leader2	1992–1994
Leader3	Milan Martić
Year leader3	1994–1995
Title deputy	Prime Minister
Deputy1	Dušan Vještica
Year deputy1	1991
Deputy2	Risto Matković
Year deputy2	1995
Currency	Krajina dinar
Today	Croatia

Republic of Serbian Krajina was a self-proclaimed Serb parastate that existed during the Croatian War of Independence. Its territory encompassed areas within the Socialist Republic of Croatia with significant Serb populations, primarily in the regions of Knin, Western Slavonia, and Eastern Slavonia. The entity, centered in the city of Knin, was established by local Serb political leaders and militias, declaring separation from Croatia following the 1991 Croatian independence referendum. It functioned as a client state of the Yugoslav People's Army and later the Republic of Serbia under Slobodan Milošević, and was ultimately dissolved following major Croatian Army offensives in 1995.

History

The origins of the Republic of Serbian Krajina lie in the rising nationalist tensions following the death of Josip Broz Tito and the Breakup of Yugoslavia. In 1990, the Log Revolution, a blockade of roads around Knin organized by Milan Babić and Milan Martić, marked the beginning of armed insurrection. Following the 1991 Croatian independence referendum, Serb authorities declared the "SAO Krajina", which was later proclaimed as the Republic of Serbian Krajina in December 1991. Its creation was directly tied to the Yugoslav People's Army's intervention and the subsequent Croatian War of Independence, which saw fierce battles in places like Vukovar, Dubrovnik, and the Siege of Dubrovnik. The entity's history is defined by its military establishment and consolidation during the early 1990s, underpinned by support from Belgrade.

Government and politics

The government was led by a President, with Milan Babić serving as the first president, followed by Goran Hadžić and finally Milan Martić. The ruling party was the Serb Democratic Party, and the political system was closely aligned with the policies of Slobodan Milošević in Belgrade. Key institutions were established in Knin, including a Supreme Court and a radio-television station. The polity maintained a parliament, but real power was often held by military and police structures like the Militia of the Republic of Serbian Krajina and figures such as Arkan and his Serbian Volunteer Guard.

Military

The military forces consisted of the Army of the Republic of Serbian Krajina, formed from local Territorial Defense units and equipped by the Yugoslav People's Army. Key commanders included General Mile Mrkšić and Colonel Veselin Šljivančanin, both later indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for their roles in the Vukovar massacre. The army fought extensively against the Croatian Army and the Croatian Police in operations like Operation Maslenica and Operation Medak Pocket. It also cooperated with the Army of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War.

Demographics

The population was predominantly Serb, following the large-scale exodus or expulsion of Croats and other non-Serbs from its territory during the war, in events such as the ethnic cleansing in the Croatian War of Independence. Major population centers included Knin, Vukovar (until its fall in 1991), Obrovac, and Benkovac. The demographic composition was drastically altered by warfare and policies aimed at creating an ethnically homogeneous Serb statelet, leading to a significant refugee crisis affecting both Serbs and Croats.

International recognition and status

The Republic of Serbian Krajina never achieved widespread international recognition. It was recognized only by other non-recognized entities like the Republic of Serbian Krajina in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United Nations never granted it observer status, and key international actors like the European Community and the United States consistently affirmed the territorial integrity of Croatia. Its diplomatic missions existed only in Belgrade and Pale, the capital of Republika Srpska.

Dissolution and aftermath

The dissolution began with the Croatian Army's Operation Flash in May 1995, which overran Western Slavonia. The decisive blow came with Operation Storm in August 1995, a major offensive that captured Knin and effectively ended the republic's existence. The offensive triggered a massive exodus of Serb refugees into Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The remaining territory in Eastern Slavonia was peacefully reintegrated into Croatia by 1998 under the UNTAES administration. Leaders like Milan Martić and Milan Babić were convicted of war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Category:Former unrecognized countries Category:History of Croatia Category:Yugoslav Wars