NUŽDIĆ: NOVI GRAD, DUBICA AND KOSTAJNICA - SYMBOLS OF DEFENSE OF SRPSKA’S WESTERN BORDERS

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 18 /SRNA/ - Novi Grad, Kozarska Dubica and Kostajnica are symbols of the defense of the western borders of Republika Srpska during the Croatian-Muslim aggression in 1995, Acting Director of the Republika Srpska Center for Research of War, War Crimes and the Search for Missing Persons Viktor Nuždić said.

"We are proud of the defense of Novi Grad, Kozarska Dubica and Kostajnica, and of the soldiers who, faced with a superior adversary, managed to defend their positions and their population, as well as Republika Srpska," Nuždić told SRNA on the occasion of the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the defense of Republika Srpska’s northwestern borders against Croatian aggression. According to him, that defense demonstrated that the strength of a people lies not only in weapons and numbers, but also in a person’s determination to stand in front of his home, in the solidarity of neighbors helping one another, in a mother waiting for her son, and in a soldier who knows whom he is standing up for in defense of his homeland. "The soldiers of the Army of Republika Srpska stood in defense of their towns and villages, knowing that there was no fallback position behind them; behind them were their homes, their families and their loved ones," Nuždić stressed. He pointed out that today is a day of remembrance for those who gave their lives, as well as for civilians who lived in fear during those days, mothers who protected their children, elderly people who did not want to leave their homes, families who feared for their loved ones, and ordinary people who displayed extraordinary courage and dignity in extraordinary circumstances. Nuždić said that the suffering and fall of 13 municipalities in the western Krajina region must not be forgotten either, which is why this period carries particular weight in the memory of the Serb people. "For thousands of people, their homeland was left behind, and many never returned home. That is why these are at the same time days of pride over the defense and of sorrow over the suffering and loss - it is our duty to remember both," Nuždić concluded. The Croatian Army’s attack on the municipality of Novi Grad began on September 18, 1995, at 9:25 a.m., and during the two-day offensive, 57 people were killed - 37 civilians, 18 soldiers and two members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - while 17 civilians, three soldiers and one member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were wounded. Members of the Army of Republika Srpska managed to push the Croatian Army back across the Una River on September 19, 1995.