President Milanović in Tuzla, Pays Tribute to Fallen Members of the Croatian Defence Council’s 115th Zrinski Brigade on its Anniversary

“The Croatian units from the time of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian Defence Council, are an example of good and rational cooperation with the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Conflict was avoided, the territory was defended. It was not ideal, it was difficult, there were moments on the brink of conflict – such were the times. However, the common sense and wisdom of some people prevailed on the better side. That should be remembered and commemorated. This is the good part of our shared history,” said the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović today in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which he visited on the occasion of the 32^nd anniversary of the establishment of the 115^th Zrinski Tuzla Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council.

The President of the Republic paid tribute to the fallen members of the brigade by laying a wreath and lighting a candle at the memorial to the 115^th Zrinski Tuzla Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council in the community of Husino. President Milanović was accompanied by the wartime commander of the 115^th Zrinski Tuzla Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council Zvonko Jurić, the President of the Association of Volunteers and Veterans of the Homeland War and Bearers of Military Decorations of the Tuzla Canton Mijo Čajić, the President of the Croatian Disabled Homeland War Veterans’ Association of the Tuzla Canton Vlado Pavljašević, the Chief of Staff of the 115^th Zrinski Tuzla Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council Milenko Horvatić, the President of the Association of Families of the Fallen Zvonko Kubinek, Deputy SIS Commander Niko Jurić, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic of Croatia for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina Ivan Sabolić, Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Tuzla Ivan Bandić, and the Military Envoy of the Republic of Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina Colonel Davor Kiralj.

The Zrinski Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council emerged as a volunteer force, marking the inaugural and sole defensive unit in the Tuzla area during that period. Established in May 1992, its inception coincided with the growing realization of imminent aggression and conflict expanding across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The brigade’s primary objective was safeguarding Croats residing in Tuzla and adjacent municipalities such as Živinice, Lukavac, Lopare, and Banovići, where approximately 40 thousand Croats lived prior to the outbreak of war. Over the course of its existence, nearly 3,000 individuals served in the ranks of the 115^th Zrinski Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council. Tragically, 48 of these defenders lost their lives, with 64 sustaining serious injuries and 137 enduring lighter wounds.

During the commemoration of the 32^nd anniversary of the Croatian Defence Council’s establishment in Knin this April, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović bestowed the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski upon the 115^th Zrinski Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council. This prestigious decoration was awarded in recognition of the extraordinary valour demonstrated by its members during the Homeland War.

After paying tribute at the brigade’s memorial, President Milanović met with the members of the 115^th Zrinski Tuzla Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council. Alongside its wartime commander, Zvonko Jurić, he visited the “Husino” Cultural Centre in Tuzla, where they viewed an exhibition of war photographs. During his visit to Tuzla, the Croatian President held a meeting with Zijad Lugavić, the Mayor of Tuzla, and toured the Saints Peter and Paul Franciscan Monastery. In a meeting with the abbot, Fr. Željko Nikolić, President Milanović received a comprehensive overview of the monastery’s initiatives and undertakings. Notably, Fr. Nikolić emphasized the significance of the Croatian Cultural Centre “Sveti Franjo,” describing it as a vital project for both the Franciscan community and the Croatian population in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for the broader community of Tuzla and its inhabitants.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek