Croatia marks 29 years since decisive Bosnian War 'Storm' offensive

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković called the anniversary a celebration of freedom.

Transcript

00:00Military parades have taken place in Croatia to mark the 29th anniversary of the last major

00:07battle of the Croatian War of Independence.

00:12The 1995 Operation Storm offensive was a decisive moment in Croatia's war with Bosnia and resulted

00:19in the recovery of territory from rebel Serb forces.

00:24The event is commemorated annually and this year saw speeches from Croatia's leaders,

00:30military displays and a flyover of fighter jets recently acquired from France.

00:38Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković hailed the anniversary as a celebration of

00:43freedom.

00:44We have gathered today to once again celebrate freedom, to remember the greatness of Neoluja,

00:54the fearlessness of Croatian defenders and all those who have enabled us to live in an

00:59independent and democratic Croatia.

01:01This is what the generations of Croats have dreamed of and today it is our reality and

01:07responsibility.

01:08But for Serbia, the anniversary is a somber reminder of what it considers a war crime

01:14that led to the mass exodus of most Serbs from Croatia.

01:20Each year thousands of Serbs, including families of victims, gather to mark the anniversary

01:26with a remembrance ceremony.