KARAN: DEFENSE OF NORTHWESTERN BORDERS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BATTLES

NOVI GRAD, SEPTEMBER 18 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan said that the defense of the northwestern borders of Republika Srpska in September 1995 was one of the most significant battles of the Defensive-Patriotic War and one of the many battles that were not lost.

Karan said that the battle fought on September 18 and 19 was about much more than defending the northwestern borders of Republika Srpska.

"Had the Croatian forces succeeded, Banja Luka and almost the entire Republika Srpska would have entered a new phase of the war. The question is what would have happened," Karan said.

He added that this was one of the battles that showed that the strongest soldier is the one defending his family and his home.

"That is why a fighter who fights for freedom, and the Serb fighter has always fought for freedom, is stronger than any aggressor force," Karan said in Novi Grad, where the 31st anniversary of this heroic battle of the Army of Republika Srpska was commemorated.

Karan said that the anniversary of the defense of the northwestern borders of Republika Srpska is also being commemorated with pride, as this was one of the many battles fought by the Serb army and the Serb people that was not lost.

He also noted that September 18 and 19 are remembered with both sadness and pride.

"With sadness because civilians were killed. Soldiers and police officers were killed, as were children and young people. We pay tribute to them today with due respect," Karan said.

Organised by the Republika Srpska Government's Committee for the Preservation of the Tradition of Liberation Wars, the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the defense of the northwestern borders of Republika Srpska began with a memorial service at the monument to civilian victims in the Tunjica neighbourhood near Novi Grad.

Following the memorial service, wreaths and flowers were laid, and candles were lit.

The program continued at the central memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Republika Srpska Army in Novi Grad, where a memorial service was held, followed by the laying of wreaths and flowers.

The Croatian Army attack on the municipality of Novi Grad began at 9:25 a.m. on September 18, 1995. During the two-day offensive, 57 people were killed: 37 civilians, 18 soldiers, and two members of the Ministry of the Interior; 17 civilians, three soldiers, and one member of the Ministry of the Interior were wounded.

On September 19, 1995, members of the Republika Srpska Army managed to push the Croatian Army back across the Una River