Bombing of Banski dvori
Encyclopedia
The Bombing of Banski dvori was a Yugoslav People's Army
air strike on Banski dvori
, the official residence
of the Government of Croatia
in Zagreb
, on 7 October 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence
.
On 25 June 1991, both Croatia and Slovenia
declared their independence from SFR Yugoslavia. Following the recommendation of international community, their declaration was temporarily postponed until 8 October.
On 7 October, the civil defense siren
went off in Zagreb. At approximately 3 p.m., an explosion rocked the Banski dvori in the center of the capital. The Croatian government reported that Yugoslav MiG-29 fighter jets attacked the building: one bomb made a direct hit on the palace, while others fell on neighboring buildings. The attack could have assassinated Franjo Tuđman, the newly elected president of Croatia, Stipe Mesić, the president of Presidency of Yugoslavia, and Ante Marković
, the Yugoslav prime-minister, who were all in the building at the time, yet all of them survived. However, one civilian was killed and a part of the building was heavily damaged.
The day before the bombing, the Croatian army received information from the JNA Željava Air Base
(near Bihać
) about a top secret air mission being prepared for the next day, but these were not taken seriously due to lack of details.
The JNA and the Yugoslav officials denied any responsibility or involvement in the incident, and in turn claimed that the explosion was set up by the Croatian government itself.
The day after the bombing, the Parliament of Croatia
declared independence, and this date is currently commemorated as a public holiday in Croatia.
Yugoslav People's Army
The Yugoslav People's Army , also referred to as the Yugoslav National Army , was the military of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.-Origins:The origins of the JNA can...
air strike on Banski dvori
Banski dvori
Banski dvori |Courts]] of the Ban) is the name of the historical building on the west side of St. Mark's Square in Zagreb, Croatia. It is the historical official residence of the Croatian Bans, who where the Croatian Viceroys after 1102...
, the official residence
Official residence
An official residence is the residence at which heads of state, heads of government, gubernatorial or other senior figures officially reside...
of the Government of Croatia
Government of Croatia
The Government of the Republic of Croatia , commonly abbreviated to Croatian Government , is the main element of the executive branch of government in Croatia. It is led by the President of the Government , commonly abbreviated to premier...
in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, on 7 October 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
.
On 25 June 1991, both Croatia and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
declared their independence from SFR Yugoslavia. Following the recommendation of international community, their declaration was temporarily postponed until 8 October.
On 7 October, the civil defense siren
Civil defense siren
A civil defense siren is a mechanical or electronic device for generating sound to...
went off in Zagreb. At approximately 3 p.m., an explosion rocked the Banski dvori in the center of the capital. The Croatian government reported that Yugoslav MiG-29 fighter jets attacked the building: one bomb made a direct hit on the palace, while others fell on neighboring buildings. The attack could have assassinated Franjo Tuđman, the newly elected president of Croatia, Stipe Mesić, the president of Presidency of Yugoslavia, and Ante Marković
Ante Markovic
Ante Marković was a statesman of the former Yugoslavia. He was the last prime minister of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.- Early life :...
, the Yugoslav prime-minister, who were all in the building at the time, yet all of them survived. However, one civilian was killed and a part of the building was heavily damaged.
The day before the bombing, the Croatian army received information from the JNA Željava Air Base
Željava Air Base
Željava Air Base, situated on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina under Plješevica Mountain, near the town of Bihać in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was the largest underground airport and military airbase in the former Yugoslavia and one of the largest in Europe.-History:Construction...
(near Bihać
Bihac
Bihać is a city and municipality on the river Una in the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Bosanska Krajina region. Bihać is located in the Una-Sana Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-History:...
) about a top secret air mission being prepared for the next day, but these were not taken seriously due to lack of details.
The JNA and the Yugoslav officials denied any responsibility or involvement in the incident, and in turn claimed that the explosion was set up by the Croatian government itself.
The day after the bombing, the Parliament of Croatia
Parliament of Croatia
The Parliament of Croatia or the Sabor is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and legislature of the country. Under the terms of the Croatian Constitution, represents the people and is vested with the legislative power...
declared independence, and this date is currently commemorated as a public holiday in Croatia.