Croatia / Serbian Krajina year 1997 stamps Europa CEPT Tales and Legends Complete set MNH

Croatia / Serbian Krajina year 1997 stamps☀ Europa CEPT / Tales and Legends ☀ Complete set MNH**

The Serbian Krajina, also known as the Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK), was a self-proclaimed Serb breakaway state within Croatia. It emerged in 1991 during the breakup of Yugoslavia. The region had a significant Serbian population and sought autonomy or separation from Croatia, fearing discrimination and marginalization within an independent Croatian state. The declaration of independence by Croatia in 1991 triggered armed conflict between Croatian forces and Serbian separatists in the Krajina region. This conflict was part of the larger Yugoslav Wars that engulfed the region in the 1990s. The Krajina Serbs, backed by the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA), resisted Croatian authority and sought to establish their own state.

In August 1995, the Croatian military launched Operation Storm, a large-scale offensive aimed at recapturing the Krajina region from Serbian control. The operation led to the collapse of the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina, with many Serb civilians fleeing the area amid reports of atrocities and human rights abuses. Following the success of Operation Storm, Croatian authorities regained control over the Krajina region, effectively ending the existence of the Republic of Serbian Krajina. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of populations, with many Serbian refugees fleeing to neighboring Serbia or to areas under Serbian control in Bosnia and Herzegovina.