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These days (4-7 August), we're commemorating the anniversary of Operation Storm, conducted in August 1995 during the ex-Yugoslav civil war, which remains a somber and deeply painful memory in the history of the Balkans, particularly for the Serbian population in Croatia. The military action, initiated by the Croatian government to regain control of territories inhabited by a majority of ethnic Serbs, resulted in a tragic loss of life and forced displacement. 1,853 Serbs, including 1,202 civilians, were killed or went missing during this operation and immediately afterwards and 220,000 Serbs were forced to leave their homes in the western part of Croatia, known as Krajina. This operation has been described by many as a targeted ethnic cleansing of the Serbian population and one of the worst of that kind since the Second World War. During the operation, 78 Serbian Orthodox churches were destroyed or severely damaged, 180 cemeteries were desecrated, and over 25,000 homes belonging to Serbs were burned. The violence inflicted upon the civilian population was indiscriminate and brutal. Serb refugees who were fleeing from Croatia were even deliberately attacked by Croatian military aircraft, which resulted in the loss of lives of innocent civilians, including a number of children. Sadly, the wounds of Operation Storm have not been allowed to heal. The main perpetrators and organizers responsible for the massive suffering of the civilian population in this operation have not faced justice, and very few Serb refugees have ever been allowed to return to their homes. This failure to address the crimes committed during the operation Storm only deepens the sense of injustice and pain that continues to affect relations between the Serbian and Croatian peoples. Moreover, the celebration of the event as a state holiday in Croatia which is now an EU country stands as a stark reminder of how history can be twisted and manipulated. The pain and suffering endured by many Serb civilians during Operation Storm should not be a subject for ostentatious nationalist celebration but an occasion for deep reflection, understanding, and a commitment to ensuring that such tragedies are never repeated and that all communities in Croatia live in full dignity, equality and peace. To this day, Operation Storm still remains a serious obstacle to establishing better and more trusting relations between Serbs and Croats. Acknowledging the atrocities committed during this tragic event and working toward reconciliation and justice is the only path forward. Commemorating this sad anniversary is not merely an act of remembrance; it's a call to action to heal wounds and build bridges between communities that have been torn apart. The tragic story of Operation Storm is a lesson in the fragility of peace and the urgent need for compassion, understanding, and justice. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to confront the past honestly, to honor the memory of those who suffered, and to work tirelessly to create a future where such horrors are consigned to history. Memory eternal to all victims of this tragedy!☦️