SUMMARY
Within the Yugoslavian republic of Croatia, two Serb-dominated areas, Serbian autonomous Oblast (SAO) of Krajina and the Serbian autonomous region of (SAO) Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Symria, existed along the Serbian border. The origin of SAO Krajina derives from already established Serb Assembly which formed the Serb Parliament before 1990. Despite the Assembly and parliament, the Serbian minority was denied status as constituent people within the Republic of Croatia. The denial subsequently led to the establishment of SAO Krajina on 21 December 1990 which declared independence from the Republic of Croatia on 28 February 1991.What preceded the declaration of independence was the Serbian nationalist protested against a Croat police station in Plitvice. In order to support the uprising, Martic sent armed men to support the protestors who gained control over the territory. Martic became more determined as he would “drive them (non-Serbs) out in the way it sees fit.” SAO Krajina had close connections to Belgrade and the authorities recognized the region as independent. In addition to the recognition, Belgrade provided the Krajina forces with military equipment. It is unclear how many troops SAO Krajina controlled. However, the military commander, Martic claimed that 30 000 men had volunteered in defending SAO Krajina. In addition to Krajina Serbs, paramilitary forces from Serbia had arrived for battle along with JNA (Yugoslav People’s Army) personnel.
The Serbian population of SAO Krajina became anxious as the Croat nationalist and Party leader of HDZ (Hrvatska demokratska zajednica, Croatian Democratic Union), Franjo Tudjman advanced through the Croatian political sector. As a response, the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) progressed and on 30 April, Milan Babic of the SDS was elected president of the exclusive council of SAO Krajina. By the spring of 1991, Serbian rebellion was sweeping over SAO Krajina and Milan Martic was positioned as the region’s military leader. Initially, the Serbian population was to a large extent ignoring the more radical SDS in favour for SDP (The Party for Democratic Change). Albeit influenced by the nationalistic atmosphere permeating Yugoslavia, the more moderate alternatives became more attractive. A reformation of the communist party was more desirable among the Serb minority. The initial lack of overwhelming support did not deter SDS. During the conflict, Babic gained more supporters and vocally declared the unacceptable status as minority within an independent Croatia. The alternative was to secede and join the remaining Yugoslavia.
Babic stayed in office during the existence of SAO Krajina and during the period of time he participated in criminal activities with the aim at coercively reduce the number of non-Serbs. The Balkan conflict led to an upsurge of different criminal organizations. Babic worked together with Bosnian-Serb leaders and was one of the main orchestrators of the criminal enterprises during the war in Croatia. The cooperation proved to be beneficial for Babic as the cooperation with non-Croat Serbs led to the acquisition and distribution of armament among Croat Serbs.
In February 1992, SAO Krajina and another Serb dominated area called SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Symria fused into one Serbian region called the Serbian Republic of Krajina. The alliance has also been active in non-state conflict against the Republic of Croatia, and after Croatian independence active in state-based conflict against Croatia (see the conflict over territory in Croatia in the database.)
SAO Krajina has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
