1993 armed conflict in Karlovac, Croatia
Operation Rain (Croatian: Operacija Kiša) or the Karlovac attack (Croatian: karlovački napad) was an offensive conducted by the proto-state Serbian Krajina, In September 1993. Operation "Rain" was launched in retaliation to Croatian Police activity in the Medak Pocket, Employed units by the Croatian Army (HV) were the 110th and 137th Brigades, alongside other intervention units. The attack was one of the largest attacks conducted by the Serbian Army of Krajina (ARSK) against Croatian Army and police positions in Karlovac, specifically in Turanj.
Starting off with rocket and artillery attacks the goal of the Army of Serbian Krajina were to destroy infrastructure and military positions, and cause general chaos in Karlovac. The Army of Serbian Krajina also attempted to unsuccessfully seize Karlovac to gain an upper hand against Zagreb.
Prelude.
The Yugoslav People's Army and SAO Krajina took over most of Dalmatia and Gospić in 1991, in 1993 the Army of Serbian Krajina (SVK) threatened Gospić and other towns in the Dalmatian hinterland, the situation worsened when the SVK began shelling Gospić, which was now on the frontline. As a result, the Croatian Army mobilized around 2,500 Infantry and Operation Medak Pocket began, after about 2 weeks the Croatian Army had defeated the Serbian Army of Krajina. In retaliation, the SVK would shell Karlovac. On 11 September, the SVK attack commenced
The attack.
Shelling and rocketing of Karlovac.
The Army of Serbian Krajina had shelled and rocketed for a long period of time, 10–13 September 1993 to be exact. The preceding "Operation Medak Pocket" was the main motive of the shelling, Karlovac, along with Zagreb, Gospić and other towns suffered retaliatory attacks from the Army of Serbian Krajina, utilizing mainly Multiple rocket launchers.
The first strikes hit downtown Karlovac, on 10 September, the rocketing and shelling would be intermittent for 2–4 days. 27 were injured and 7 civilians were killed. During the shelling, many civilians took refuge in bomb shelters.
Ground offensive.
Between 9 and 13 September, soldiers from the Army of Serbian Krajina (ARSK) attacked the city of Karlovac, and the first 1–2 days of the battle saw continuous shelling. The ARSK then finally launched an organized attack on Karlovac; the goal of ARSK was to penetrate Turanj and threaten Zagreb and the Croatian Army. The 110th and 137th Croatian Army (HV) brigades, along with other divisions and police committed to the front line, the latter was launched on 13 September, a combination of artillery and mechanized attacks. The attack was repelled by the Croatian Army (HV). The Army of Serbian Krajina, left in shambles withdrew on the same day, marking Croatian victory.
As part of the defense, 9 Croatian soldiers were killed in the shelling and gunfire, which obliged Franjo Tuđman to visit Karlovac and check on the wounded. An unknown amount of Army of Serbian Krajina personnel were killed.
Aftermath.
The impacts of the attack were discussed by the 110th HV brigade association, the aforementioned brigade that fought in the 1993 attack. The discussion was about how the defense of Karlovac could have better improved.
In the perspective of the citizens of Karlovac and Mayors, politicians; the defense of Karlovac in September 1993 was heroic and proved that the Croatian Army was an effective force, as a result 13 September in Karlovac is a day to honor veterans whom defended Karlovac against the Army of Serbian Krajina. The collapse of the Army of Serbian Krajina had been inevitable since the withdrawal of the Yugoslav People's Army, The Serb Krajina forces were severely weakened after the attack on Karlovac.
This attack was a desperate move, the desperation of the enemy after losses on the military field. That's the difference between us, Croatia, and what was the strategy of Greater Serbia's aggression. Unfortunately, it was not the last time. Let's also remember the attack from 1995. The enemy's desperation was best seen in the fact that, when things didn't go their way, they used everything forbidden in war, by targeting civilian targets.
As stated by Tomo Medved.
References.
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