Battles of Glina (1991)

The Battles of Glina, also referred to as the Glina clashes of 1991, were a series of armed conflicts that took place in and around the town of Glina (now Glina, Croatia) during the early stages of the Croatian War of Independence. Glina, a town with a mixed Croat and Serb population, became a focal point of tension as ethnic divisions deepened following Croatia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991.

The clashes primarily involved Croatian police and national guard units against local Serb militias, often supported by paramilitaries and elements of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). These Serb forces aimed to establish control over the territory as part of the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina.

Significant incidents during the Battles of Glina included attacks on the Glina police station, barricades erected by Serb forces, and skirmishes in the surrounding villages. The fighting resulted in casualties on both sides and contributed to a climate of fear and displacement, leading to significant population shifts. Many Croats were forced to flee the area, while some Serbs also left fearing reprisals.

The Battles of Glina marked a crucial period in the escalation of the Croatian War of Independence, demonstrating the fragility of inter-ethnic relations and the increasing likelihood of widespread armed conflict. The events in Glina served as a prelude to the larger-scale battles and ethnic cleansing that would characterize the war in the years that followed. The control of Glina would change hands multiple times during the war, ultimately remaining within Croatian control following Operation Storm in 1995. The events are remembered as a tragic chapter in the history of the region.