Poljanak and Vukovići massacres
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| Poljanak and Vukovići massacres | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Croatian War of Independence | |
   Poljanak Poljanak on the map of Croatia, JNA/SAO Krajina-held areas in late 1991 are highlighted in red | |
| Location | Poljanak, Croatia |
| Date | 7 November 1991 |
| Target | Croats |
Attack type | Mass killing |
| Deaths | 10 |
| Perpetrators | JNA, Territorial Defense, SAO Krajina forces |
The Poljanak and Vukovići massacres was the mass murder of Croat civilians in the villages of Poljanak and Vukovići committed by SAO Krajina forces, supported by the JNA and TO forces on 7 November 1991.
In August 1990, an insurrection took place in Croatia centred on the predominantly Serb-populated areas, including parts of Lika, around the city of Gospić, with significant Serb populations.[1] The areas were subsequently named SAO Krajina and, after declaring its intention to integrate with Serbia, the Government of Croatia declared it to be a rebellion.[2] By March 1991, the conflict escalated into the Croatian War of Independence.[3] In June 1991, Croatia declared its independence as Yugoslavia disintegrated.[4] A three-month moratorium followed,[5] after which the decision came into effect on 8 October.[6]
As the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) increasingly supported the SAO Krajina, the Croatian Police were unable to cope. Thus, the Croatian National Guard (ZNG) was formed in May 1991.[7] The development of the military of Croatia was hampered by a UN arms embargo introduced in September,[8] while the military conflict in Croatia continued to escalate—the Battle of Vukovar started on 26 August.[9] By the end of August the fighting intensified in Lika as well, specifically as the Battle of Gospić continued through much of September.[10]
Poljanak and Vukovići were small villages, located in the Lika region of central Croatia, not far from the Plitvice Lakes National Park and the town of Slunj. In 1991, both villages had a Croat-majority. For example, Poljanak had pre-war population of 160 inhabitants (145 Croats, 5 Serbs, one Yugoslav and 9 others), according to a 1991 census.[11]