The 30th anniversary of the massacre committed in the Dalmatian village of Skabrnja by the former Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and Serb paramilitary forces on 18 November 1991 began at 10 am on Thursday morning with a memorial procession.

The procession headed towards the monument built on the site of a mass grave where the victims of the massacre were buried.

Ministers Oleg Butkovic, Ivan Malenica, Marija Vuckovic, Vili Beros and Nina Obuljen-Korzinek are attending this year’s commemoration on behalf of the government. Also present are Deputy Parliament Speaker Ante Sanader, representing the parliament, and the president’s special envoy Dragan Lozancic.

Skabrnja fell into the hands of occupying Serb forces on 18 November 1991 following air and artillery bombardments by the Yugoslav People’s Army under the command of Ratko Mladic. The village, located 25 kilometres east of the coastal city of Zadar, was completely destroyed in the attack and 48 Croatian civilians and 15 soldiers were killed on that day.

During its subsequent occupation and until its liberation in the August 1995 Operation Storm, the number of Skabrnja victims rose to 86. Another six villagers were killed by leftover mines after the war. Two thousand people were forced to leave their homes during the occupation.