August 6, 1995 -- 11 AM EDT
BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CNN)-- Croatian army soldiers are celebrating victory [179k AIFF sound], as they overrun the Krajina region. And, in an odd reversal of recent events, thousands of Serb citizens are heading for refuge in Bosnia.
Yesterday, the Croatian army stormed the Croatian Serb "capital" of Knin. Now, the Croatian government claims that its forces have nabbed Petrinja and other towns. But Krajina Serb forces are not the only ones to come under attack. At least 40 United Nations positions have been overrun during the Croatians' campaign, and Denmark claims some of its U.N. peacekeepers were used as shields by Croatian troops attacking Serb forces. Croatia's government denies it.
The Croatian drive through Krajina has triggered a mass exodus of Serb civilians. An estimated 150,000 people have either fled to Banja Luka or are en route to northern Bosnia. The refugees appear to have left in great haste, many clutching only carrier bags. The U.N. said the flood of people threatens to become a humanitarian disaster as thousands of additional refugees prepare to exit Croatia.
With complex ethnic rivalries sweeping the Balkans, the Croat minority in Banja Luka now faces a predicted backlash. Some Croats have been evicted from their homes and are heading out of northern Bosnia into neighboring Croatia. The scale of this Croat movement is, as yet, unclear.
U.N. officials complain they're not being allowed inside the captured Croatian territory of Knin. Sunday, U.N. Special Envoy Yakushi Akashi said the United Nations is meeting with Croatian government officials to ensure the rights of all civilians, including the Serb minority.
Meanwhile, a feud continues to boil over who's in charge of the Bosnian Serb army. Friday, Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic announced that he would take control of the forces. However, Commander Ratko Mladic received support from 18 generals today.
![[Imagemap]](/WORLD/Bosnia/images/bosnia_nav.gif)
Copyright © 1995 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.