Operation Flash

{{main|Log Revolution}}

File:Croatia Occupied Areas 30 April 1995 Sector West.svg

The 1990 Serbia backed insurrection of the Radical elements of Croatian Serbs was centred on the predominantly Serb-populated areas of the Dalmatian hinterland around Knin,{{harvnb|The New York Times|19 August 1990}} parts of the Lika, Kordun, Banovina regions and in eastern Croatian settlements with significant Serb populations,{{harvnb|ICTY|12 June 2007}} as well as parts of western Slavonia centred on Pakrac and Okučani.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|pp=40–41}} In the early stages of the Log Revolution, tens of thousands of Serbs willingly left Croatian controlled cities,{{harvnb|Nikiforov|2011|p=781}} to form a unlawful entity known as the Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK). The RSK's proclaimed intention to integrate politically with Serbia was viewed by the Croatian Government as an act of rebellion.{{harvnb|The New York Times|2 April 1991}} By March 1991, the conflict had escalated to war—the Croatian War of Independence.{{harvnb|The New York Times|3 March 1991}} In June 1991, with the breakup of Yugoslavia, Croatia declared its independence,{{harvnb|The New York Times|26 June 1991}} which came into effect on 8 October{{harvnb|Narodne novine|8 October 1991}} after a three-month moratorium.{{harvnb|The New York Times|29 June 1991}} From late October to late December 1991, the HV conducted Operations Otkos 10 and Orkan 91 recapturing 60% of RSK-occupied western Slavonia,{{harvnb|Hoare|2010|p=123}} resulting in Serbs fleeing from the area,{{harvnb|Nikiforov|2011|p=785}} while some were killed in a death camp in Pakračka Poljana.{{harvnb|The New York Times|05 September 1997}} A campaign of ethnic cleansing was then initiated by the RSK against Croatian civilians and most non-Serbs were expelled by early 1993.{{harvnb|ECOSOC|17 November 1993|loc=Section J, points 147 & 150}} After the end of the war, thousands of civilians murdered by the Serb troops were exhumed from mass graves.{{harvnb|Ramet|2010|p=263}}

As the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) increasingly supported the RSK and the Croatian Police was unable to cope with the situation, the Croatian National Guard (ZNG) was formed in May 1991. The ZNG was renamed the Croatian Army (HV) in November.{{harvnb|EECIS|1999|pp=272–278}} The establishment of the military of Croatia was hampered by a United Nations (UN) arms embargo introduced in September.{{harvnb|The Independent|10 October 1992}} The final months of 1991 saw the fiercest fighting of the war, culminating in the Battle of the barracks,{{harvnb|The New York Times|24 September 1991}} the Siege of Dubrovnik,{{harvnb|Bjelajac|Žunec|2009|pp=249–250}} and the Battle of Vukovar.{{harvnb|The New York Times|18 November 1991}} The western Slavonia area became the scene of a JNA offensive in September and October aimed at severing all transport links between the Croatian capital, Zagreb, and Slavonia. Even though the HV managed to reclaim much territory gained by the JNA advance in operations Otkos 10 and Orkan 91, it failed to secure the Zagreb–Belgrade motorway and railroad significant for the defence of Slavonia.

In January 1992, the Sarajevo Agreement was signed by representatives of Croatia, the JNA and the UN, and fighting between the two sides was paused.{{harvnb|The New York Times|3 January 1992}} Ending the series of unsuccessful ceasefires, United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) was deployed to Croatia to supervise and maintain the agreement.{{harvnb|Los Angeles Times|29 January 1992}} The conflict largely passed on to entrenched positions and the JNA soon retreated from Croatia into Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a new conflict was anticipated, but Serbia continued to support the RSK.{{harvnb|Thompson|2012|p=417}} HV advances restored small areas to Croatian control—through Operation Maslenica.{{harvnb|The New York Times|24 January 1993}} and as the siege of Dubrovnik was lifted.{{harvnb|The New York Times|15 July 1992}} Croatian towns and villages were intermittently attacked by artillery,{{harvnb|ECOSOC|17 November 1993|loc=Section K, point 161}} or missiles.{{harvnb|The New York Times|13 September 1993}} Cities in the RSK were also fired on by Croatian forces.{{harvnb|Nikiforov|2011|pp=790–791}} The Republika Srpska, Serb-held territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was involved in the war in a limited capacity, through military and other aid to the RSK, occasional air raids launched from Banja Luka, and most significantly through artillery attacks against several cities.{{harvnb|The Seattle Times|16 July 1992}}{{harvnb|The New York Times|17 August 1995}} The HV deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in a campaign against the Bosnian Serbs. The intervention was formalized on 22 July 1995, when Croatian President Franjo Tuđman and the Bosnian president, Alija Izetbegović, signed Split Agreement on mutual defence, permitting the large-scale deployment of the HV in Bosnia and Herzegovina,{{harvnb|Bjelajac|Žunec|2009|p=254}} that drove back Bosnian Serb forces and came within striking distance of Banja Luka.{{harvnb|Ramet|2006|p=465}}

The March 1994 Washington Agreement,{{harvnb|Jutarnji list|9 December 2007}} ended the Croat–Bosniak War and created conditions for provision of US military aid to Croatia.{{harvnb|Dunigan|2011|pp=92–93}} Croatia requested US military advisors from the Military Professional Resources Incorporated (MPRI) to provide training of civil-military relations, programme and budget services of the HV the same month,{{harvnb|Dunigan|2011|p=92}} and the MPRI training was licensed by the US Department of State upon endorsement from Richard Holbrooke in August.{{harvnb|Dunigan|2011|p=93}} The MPRI was hired because the UN arms embargo was still in place, ostensibly to prepare the HV for NATO Partnership for Peace programme participation. They trained HV officers and personnel for 14 weeks from January to April 1995. It was also speculated that the MPRI also provided doctrinal advice, scenario planning and US government satellite information to Croatia.{{harvnb|Dunigan|2011|pp=93–95}} MPRI and Croatian officials dismissed such speculation.{{harvnb|Avant|2005|p=104}}{{harvnb|Radio Free Europe|20 August 2010}} In November 1994, the United States unilaterally ended the arms embargo against Bosnia and Herzegovina,{{harvnb|Bono|2003|p=107}} in effect allowing the HV to supply itself as 30% of arms and ammunition shipped through Croatia was kept as a trans-shipment fee.{{harvnb|Ramet|2006|p=439}}{{harvnb|Andreas|2011|p=112}} The US involvement reflected a new military strategy endorsed by Bill Clinton since February 1993.{{harvnb|Woodward|2010|p=432}}

In 1994, the United States, Russia, the European Union (EU) and the UN sought to replace the 1992 peace plan drafted by Cyrus Vance, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, which brought in the UNPROFOR. They formulated the Z-4 plan giving Serb-majority areas in Croatia substantial autonomy.{{harvnb|Armatta|2010|pp=201–204}} After numerous and often uncoordinated development of the plan, including leaking of its draft elements to the press in October, the Z-4 plan was presented on 30 January 1995. Neither Croatia nor the RSK liked the plan. Croatia was concerned that the RSK might accept it, but Croatian President Franjo Tuđman realised that Slobodan Milošević, who would ultimately make the decision for the RSK,{{harvnb|Ahrens|2007|pp=160–166}} would not accept the plan for fear that it would set a precedent for a political settlement in Kosovo—allowing Croatia to accept the plan with little possibility for it to be implemented. The RSK refused to receive, let alone accept the plan.{{harvnb|Galbraith|2006|p=126}}

In December 1994, Croatia and the RSK made an economic agreement to restore road and rail links, water and gas supplies and use of a part of the Adria oil pipeline. Even though a part of the agreement was never implemented,{{harvnb|Bideleux|Jeffries|2007|p=205}} the pipeline and a {{convert|23.2|km|adj=on}} section of the Zagreb–Belgrade motorway passing through RSK territory around Okučani were opened,{{harvnb|Štefančić|2011|p=440}}{{harvnb|The New York Times|2 May 1995}} shortening travel from the capital to Slavonia by several hours. Since its opening, the motorway section became of strategic importance both to Croatia and the RSK in further negotiations. The section was closed by the RSK for 24 hours on 24 April,{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=43}} in response to increased control of commercial traffic leaving the RSK held territory in the eastern Slavonia—likely increasing Croatian resolve to capture the area through military action.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|p=296}} The controls were put in place by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 981 of 31 March 1995, establishing the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation (UNCRO) peacekeeping force instead of UNPROFOR, and tasked the force with monitoring of Croatian international borders separating the RSK-held territory from Yugoslavia or Bosnia and Herzegovina,{{harvnb|Jones|Ramsbotham|Woodhouse|1995|pp=246–251}} as well as facilitating the latest Croatia–RSK ceasefire of 29 March 1994, and the December 1994 economic agreement.

The situation worsened again on 28 April, when a Serb was stabbed by a Croat refugee—both of them living in the same village before 1991—at a filling station adjacent to the motorway, situated in Croatian controlled territory near Nova Gradiška.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|pp=43–44}} In response, a group of Serbs, including a brother of the killed man, fired on vehicles on the motorway which remained open despite a UNCRO request to Croatia to close the route. Three civilians were killed in the shooting and RSK soldiers arrested five.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|pp=296–297}} The shooting stopped by 1:00 a.m.,{{harvnb|Štefančić|2011|p=451}} and the five were released in the morning and the UNCRO demanded that the motorway be reopened. The RSK 18th Corps and the chief of police in Okučani declined on instructions from the RSK leadership in Knin, but later agreed to reopen the road on 1 May at 6:00 a.m. However, the decision to reopen the motorway was cancelled on 30 April at 8:00 p.m.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=44}} The same night, three rocket-propelled grenades were fired into the Croatian-controlled part of Pakrac and a vehicle was attacked on the Pakrac–Požega road located close to RSK positions,{{harvnb|Štefančić|2011|p=452}} the latter resulting in one dead and one captured civilian.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=48}} Hrvoje Šarinić, an advisor to Tuđman, confirmed that Croatia contemplated staging an incident which would provoke a military capture of the motorway area, but he also denied that one was needed as incidents were known to occur on a regular basis.{{harvnb|ICTY|22 January 2004|p=31288}}

The HV General Staff developed a plan to capture the RSK-held area of western Slavonia in December 1994. The forces were set to converge on Okučani, advancing east from Novska and west from Nova Gradiška, isolating RSK forces remaining north of the line while they are pinned down by reserve infantry brigades and Home Guard regiments. A part of the main force would secure the area south of the main axis of the attack, reaching the Sava River in order to prevent any reinforcements sent by the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) from reaching the area. The plan included Croatian Air Force (CAF) air strikes on the only Sava River bridge in the area, located between Stara Gradiška and Gradiška. In the second phase of the offensive, a mop-up operation was designed to eliminate any pockets of resistance left over.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|p=297}} The HV General Staff and the HV Bjelovar Corps performed a full-scale staff and field rehearsal for Operation Flash in February.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|p=276}} The operation was directed by the Bjelovar Corps commanded by Brigadier Luka Džanko, although the HV General Staff set up three forward command posts to allow rapid reaction by Lieutenant General Zvonimir Červenko. The primary posts were in Novska and Nova Gradiška, under control of Major General Ivan Basarac and Lieutenant General Petar Stipetić respectively.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|loc=note 72/VII}} At the time, Červenko was acting chief of the General Staff as General Janko Bobetko was hospitalized in Zagreb.

Croatia deployed 7,200 troops to conduct the attack, including elements of three guards brigades and an independent guards battalion supported by special forces of the Croatian Police and reserve HV and Home Guard troops.{{harvnb|MORH|2010}} The 18th West Slavonian Corps of the RSK, defending the area, was expected to have 4,773 troops at its disposal,{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=47}} as it ordered mobilization of the troops on 28–29 April.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=45}} The move brought the 18th Corps, commanded by Colonel Lazo Babić,{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=63}} to strength of about 4,500 troops.{{harvnb|Ramet|2006|p=456}}{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|loc=note 32}} An RSK commission set up to evaluate the battle claimed that some of the RSK units were not able to retrieve antitank weapons from UNCRO depots in Stara Gradiška and near Pakrac until after the offensive began. The weapons were stored there pursuant to the March 1994 ceasefire agreement.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|pp=46–47}} Nonetheless, the UNCRO did not resist the RSK troops removing the stored weapons.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=65}}

File:Croatian Army Operation Flash 1 May 1995.jpg.]]

On 1 May 1995, Šarinić informed UNCRO of the imminent HV offensive in a telephone call to the Canadian general Raymond Crabbe at 4:00 a.m. designed to let the UNCRO troops seek shelter in time. Operation Flash started through an artillery preparatory bombardment of RSK held positions at 4:30 a.m. Infantry and armour attacks converging from Novska, Nova Gradiška and Pakrac at Okučani and an attack from Novska towards Jasenovac commenced at various times between 5:30 and 7:00 a.m.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|loc=note 49}} The artillery and CAF strikes caused panic in the RSK rear, but did not take out the Sava River bridge in Stara Gradiška. Bobetko was concerned about the RSK tanks located in the town as a possible counter-attack force and requested that the CAF use its Mil Mi-24s to prevent the RSK armour from intervening.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|loc=note 81/VII}}

At 5:30 am, Croatian special police moved through a gap in the RSK defences, between the 98th Infantry Brigade facing Novska and the Tactical Group 1 (TG1) defending Jasenovac, disrupting the integrity of RSK positions,{{harvnb|Sekulić|2000|p=105}} and outflanking the 98th Brigade on the Novska–Okučani axis of the HV attack, where a battalion of the 1st Guards advanced along a secondary road parallel to the motorway, while one battalion from the 2nd Guards and the 3rd Guards Brigades each advanced east on the motorway itself, crushing the RSK defence.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|loc=note 82/VIII}} At 1:00 p.m., the commanding officer of the RSK 98th Infantry Brigade left the unit and reported to the Corps commander that the brigade was in disarray, citing heavy losses.{{harvnb|Sekulić|2000|pp=105–106}} The HV attack aimed at capturing Jasenovac was a two-pronged advance of the 125th Home Guard Regiment supported by the special police south and east from Bročice and Drenov Bok. The TG1 offered no significant resistance, and the HV captured Jasenovac between noon and 1:00 p.m..,{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=50}}{{harvnb|Index.hr|29 April 2005}} the RSK authorities in Okučani permitted the evacuation of civilians;{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=52}} however, the civilians were quickly joined by retreating elements of the 98th and the 54th Brigades. The TG1 retreated south across the Sava River.{{harvnb|Sekulić|2000|p=106}} After capture of Jasenovac, the HV 125th Home Guards Regiment and the special police advanced eastward along the Sava River.

File:Croatian Army in Okucani 2 May 1995.jpg

On the Nova Gradiška–Okučani axis, the RSK 54th Infantry Brigade held positions east of Okučani, facing the 4th Battalion of the 5th Guards Brigade, the 81st Guards Battalion, an armoured company of the 123rd Brigade and the 121st Home Guard Regiment of the HV. Due to a breakdown in the chain of command, the HV attack was delayed, forcing the 81st Guards Battalion to face well prepared defenders in Dragalić. Stipetić, who toured the front line personally,{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|loc=note 83/VII}} reported that the delay was up to two and a half hours.{{harvnb|Nacional|24 April 2002}} In response, the HV redirected the 4th Battalion of the 5th Guards Brigade, the 265th Reconnaissance Sabotage Company and the armoured company of the 123rd Brigade to dislodge the RSK troops. The RSK 54th Infantry Brigade put up strong resistance until 9:00 a.m., when its commander ordered a retreat. Still, the HV force captured the village of Bijela Stijena on the Okučani–Pakrac road and encircled Okučani by 11:00 p.m. on 1 May, before suspending its advance for the night. The capture of Bijela Stijena effectively isolated the RSK 51st Infantry Brigade, the 59th and the 63rd Detachments and the RSK Special police battalion, as well as the 1st Battalion of the 54th Infantry Brigade and the 2nd Battalion of the 98th Infantry Brigade north of Okučani. Furthermore, the RSK force near Pakrac could not communicate with the Corps command because their communication system failed.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=54}} In the Pakrac area, the HV deployed the 105th Infantry Brigade and the 52nd Home Guard Regiment. It was estimated that the RSK forces there were well entrenched and that the HV chose to envelop and pin them down rather than engage in any large-scale combat.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|pp=51–52}}

File:SVLR M-87 Orkan.jpg rocket launcher used in the 2–3 May Zagreb attacks]]

The HV resumed its advance in the early morning of 2 May. The retreating elements of the RSK 98th and 54th Infantry Brigades mixed with civilians evacuating south towards the Republika Srpska clashed with the 265th Reconnaissance Sabotage Company near Novi Varoš, but managed to continue south. The RSK 18th Corps moved its headquarters from Stara Gradiška across the Sava River to Gradiška in Republika Srpska against the orders of General Milan Čeleketić, the chief of the RSK General Staff. The HV captured Okučani at 1:00 p.m. as the HV pincers advancing from Novska and Nova Gradiška met. At about the same time, the command of the RSK 54th Infantry Brigade arrived to Stara Gradiška having evacuated from Okučani, and ordered an artillery strike on Nova Gradiška in retaliation. Even though a token support of 195 RSK troops arrived to the area from eastern Slavonia, they refused to fight upon learning of the developments on the battleground.{{harvnb|Sekulić|2000|p=110}}

The RSK 18th Corps requests for close air support were denied by the political leadership of the Republika Srpska as well as the RSK Main Staff. They thought that the HV might attack other RSK-held areas and because of the NATO Operation Deny Flight—enforcing a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina which would have to be overflown to assist the 18th Corps. The RSK deployed only two helicopters to support the corps, but they could not be directed against the HV because of the communication system failure. In contrast, the CAF attacked RSK positions near Stara Gradiška, specifically the bridge spanning the Sava River there. In one such sortie, the air defence of the Republika Srpska shot down a CAF MiG-21 flown by Rudolf Perešin (who had defected to Austria in 1991) at 1:00 p.m. on 2 May, killing him.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|pp=57–58}}

The RSK leadership decided to retaliate against Croatia by ordering the artillery bombardment of Croatian urban centres. On 2 May, the RSK military attacked Zagreb and Zagreb Airport using eleven M-87 Orkan rockets carrying cluster munitions.{{harvnb|San Francisco Chronicle|3 May 1995}} The attack was repeated the next day.{{harvnb|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002|p=298}} Six civilians were killed and 205 injured in the two attacks, while a policeman was killed defusing one of 500 unexploded bomblets.{{harvnb|Jutarnji list|2 May 2012}} United States ambassador to Croatia, Peter Galbraith called the attack a declaration of an all-out war.

{{Main|Surrender of the 51st Brigade}}

File:RSK Surrender Pakrac 3 May 1995.jpg

On 3 May, Croatia and the RSK reached an agreement, mediated by the personal representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Yasushi Akashi, to end hostilities by 4:00 p.m. later that day. Consequently, the RSK General Staff instructed the 18th Western Slavonian Corps to cease fire at 3:00 p.m. Babić in turn ordered Lieutenant Colonel Stevo Harambašić, the commanding officer of the RSK 51st Infantry Division to surrender 7,000 troops and civilians encircled by the HV south of Pakrac to the Argentine UNCRO battalion—as agreed by with the Croatian authorities.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=60}} Harambašić and about 600 troops surrendered on 3 May, while many more remained in the Psunj mountain east and southeast of Pakrac. The surrender was accepted by Pakrac chief of police, Nikola Ivkanec.{{harvnb|Slobodna Dalmacija|18 September 2004}}

As hundreds of RSK troops refused to surrender, remaining in the Psunj forests, Bobetko appointed Stipetić to conduct mop-up operations against those troops. The HV used artillery attacks to flush approximately 1,500 RSK troops towards its positions and captured them by the end of the day. Nonetheless, the HV and the Croatian special police continued to sweep the area for any remaining RSK military personnel. One such group of about 50 soldiers of the RSK 2nd Battalion of the 98th Infantry Brigade swam across the Sava River into the Republika Srpska on 7 May.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|loc=note 54}} The mop-up operations were completed by 20 May, when the last remaining RSK troops surrendered to the Croatian police on Psunj.

{{Location map+| Croatia | width=450| float=right

| caption={{legend|#ff8080|RSK areas captured by Croatia in Operation Flash}} {{legend|#d080ff|RSK areas left after Operation Flash}}

| overlay_image =Croatia Occupied Areas 30 April 1995.svg

| places =

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Okučani | lat=45.25 | long=17.2 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Pakrac | lat=45.44 | long=17.19 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=left}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Nova Gradiška | lat=45.25 | long=17.38 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Novska | lat=45.33 | long=16.98 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=left}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Daruvar | lat=45.59 | long=17.22 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=top}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Zagreb | lat=45.815879 | long=15.978241 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=top}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Osijek | lat=45.560218 | long=18.677444 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=left}}

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{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Sinj | lat=43.7 | long=16.64 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Karlovac | lat=45.49 | long=15.55 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=top}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Ogulin | lat=45.26 | long=15.22 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=left}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Split | lat=43.5 | long=16.43 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Šibenik | lat=43.73 | long=15.9 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Zadar | lat=44.12 | long=15.23 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=left}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Sisak | lat=45.48 | long=16.37 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=top}}

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{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Gospić | lat=44.54 | long=15.37 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=left}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Knin | lat=44.04 | long=16.19 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Blue pog.svg| position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Glina | lat=45.33 | long=16.08 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Blue pog.svg| position=left}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Dvor | lat=45.06 | long=16.36 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Blue pog.svg| position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Udbina | lat=44.53 | long=15.76 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Blue pog.svg| position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Bihać | lat=44.81 | long=15.87 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Lightgreen pog.svg | position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Banja Luka | lat=44.76 | long=17.18 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Blue pog.svg | position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Croatian controlled | lat=43.2 | long=13.39 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Serb controlled | lat=42.8 | long=13.39 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Blue pog.svg | position=right}}

{{Location map~|Croatia| label=Bosniak controlled | lat=42.4 | long=13.392334 | label_size=75 | marksize=6| mark= Lightgreen pog.svg | position=right}}

}}

Operation Flash was a strategic victory for Croatia. It captured {{convert|558|km2|adj=on}} area formerly held by the RSK,{{harvnb|Sekulić|2000|p=80}} and placed the entire western Slavonia region under Croatian government control and secured the use of strategically important road and rail links between the capital and the east of the country.{{harvnb|Štefančić|2011|p=436}} Croatian military losses in the offensive were 42 killed and 162 wounded. Croatia initially estimated that the RSK military sustained 350–450 killed and 1,000–1,200 wounded.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=64}} The number of killed in action was later revised to 188.{{harvnb|HRW|July 1995|p=2}} This figure included military and civilian deaths. On 3–4 May, the HV and the Croatian special police took approximately 2,100 prisoners of war. The prisoners of war, including arrested RSK officials, were transferred to detention facilities in Bjelovar, Požega and Varaždin for investigation of any involvement in war crimes.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|p=61}} Some of the detainees were beaten or otherwise abused on the first evening of their detention, but treatment of the prisoners improved and was viewed as generally good. Three Jordanian soldiers serving with the UNCRO were wounded by HV fire.{{harvnb|HRW|July 1995|p=6}}

Another consequence of Operation Flash was the displacement of the Serb population from the area—estimated at 13,000 to 14,000 prior to 1 May 1995. Two-thirds of that population fled the region during or immediately after the Croatian offensive. Furthermore, 2,000 were evacuated to Serb-held areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina on their own request within a month of Operation Flash. It was estimated that no more than 1,500 Serbs remained living in the area by the end of June. Serbian sources claim that 283 Serbs were killed and that between 15,000{{harvnb|Štrbac|2005|p=225}} and 30,000 were made refugees, while asserting that the population of the region was 15,000 prior to the offensive.{{harvnb|B92|1 May 2009}} Other Serbian and Russian sources claim the population size as high as 29,000.{{harvnb|Sekulić|2000|p=81}}{{harvnb|Guskova|2001|p=493}}{{harvnb|Nikiforov|2011|p=795}} The Croatian Helsinki Committee reported a total of 83 civilians killed, including 30 who were killed near Novi Varoš where Serb civilians and the RSK military were intermingled as they fled south towards the Republika Srpska.{{harvnb|Brigović|2009|loc=note 105}} A portion of the 30 killed in the retreating column were casualties of HV attacks, while others were killed by RSK troops to speed up the retreat.{{harvnb|Index.hr|24 July 2003}}

Akashi was criticised by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) for alleging "massive" human rights abuses by the HV despite a lack of evidence to support such claims. The organization also criticised Akashi's statement of 6 May claiming that the UNHCR office in Banja Luka interviewed 100 of the refugees from western Slavonia and determined that the refugee column was subjected to HV artillery and sniper attacks. The HRW concluded that three non-Serbian speaking UNHCR staff were unlikely to conduct proper interview of 100 people in just four days, assessing the circumstances of the interviews as being highly suspect.{{harvnb|HRW|July 1995|p=17}} In contrast to Akashi, the HRW deemed that the HV's conduct was professional. Afterwards, United Nations Commission on Human Rights rapporteur Tadeusz Mazowiecki visited the area and concluded that there were serious breaches of humanitarian law and human rights by both sides in the conflict, albeit not on a massive scale.{{harvnb|Ahrens|2007|p=169}}

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued two statements, one on 1 May and the other on 4 May 1995, during and immediately after the operation, respectively. The first statement demanded that Croatia end its attack in the area, and that both Croatia and the RSK should abide with the economic and ceasefire agreements in place.{{harvnb|UNSC|1 May 1995}} The second statement reiterated the requests made three days earlier, adding the UNSC's condemnation of RSK attacks on Zagreb and other population centres, urged an immediate ceasefire brokered by Akashi and condemned the incursions of the HV in zones of separation in Banovina, Kordun, Lika and northern Dalmatia, near Knin (UNCRO Sectors North and South), as well as incursions by both the HV and the military of the RSK in eastern Slavonia (UNCRO Sector East). The statement called for the withdrawal of forces from the zones of separation in the Sectors North, South and East, but failed to request any pullout from the UNCRO Sector West—the area where Operation Flash had just been fought.{{harvnb|UNSC|4 May 1995}} The statements were supported by the UNSC Resolution 994.{{harvnb|UNHCR|17 May 1995}} In August 1995, after Operation Storm, the UNCRO withdrew to the eastern Slavonia.{{harvnb|UNCRO}}

The RSK defeat worsened political confrontation there and led politicians in Serbia and RSK to blame each other,{{harvnb|Sekulić|2000|p=119}} and the HV's success brought about a great psychological boost for Croatia.{{harvnb|The New York Times|4 May 1995}} Croatia established a commemorative medal to be issued to the HV troops who took part in the operation,{{harvnb|Narodne novine|7 August 1995}} and commemorates Operation Flash by annual official celebrations in Okučani,{{harvnb|Nacional|1 May 2011}} while Serbs mark the anniversary of the battle by church services for their dead.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, set up in 1993 based on the UN Security Council Resolution 827,{{harvnb|Schabas|2006|pp=3–4}} tried Martić and Momčilo Perišić, the Chief of the General Staff of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at the time of Operation Flash, for various war crimes, including the Zagreb rocket attacks. Milan Martić, RSK president at the time of the offensive, was convicted and sentenced to 35 years of imprisonment on 12 June 2007, and Perišić received a prison sentence of 27 years on 6 September 2011.{{harvnb|ICTY|6 September 2011}} Martić's sentence was confirmed by the ICTY appeals chamber on 8 October 2008,{{harvnb|ICTY|IT-95-11}} while Perišić's conviction was overturned on 28 February 2013.{{harvnb|BBC|28 February 2013}} {{As of|2012|4}}, Croatian authorities are conducting an investigation into the killing of 23 individuals in Medari near Nova Gradiška,{{harvnb|DORH|May 2012}} and charges were filed regarding the alleged mistreatment of prisoners of war in the detention facility in Varaždin.{{harvnb|Glas Slavonije|4 May 2012}}

After the war ended, the Serb National Council ensured the partial return of Serbs to areas exposed to Operations Flash, through the struggle for their fundamental human rights.{{harvnb|Škiljan|2016|p=110}} The Human Rights Watch reported in 1999 that Serbs do not enjoy their civil rights as Croatian citizens, as a result of discriminatory laws and practices, particularly true for Serbs living in the four former United Nations Protected Areas, including Western Slavonia.{{harvnb|HRW|March 1999}} In 2017 report, the Amnesty International expressed concern about persisting obstacles for Serbs to regain their property.{{harvnb|Amnesty|1 January 2017|pp=131–133}} They reported that Croatian Serbs continued to face discrimination in public sector employment and the restitution of tenancy rights to social housing vacated during the war. They also pointed to hate speech, "evoking fascist ideology" and the right to use minority languages and script continued to be politicized and unimplemented in some towns. However the Croatian courts regularly prosecuted cases of defamation and insult to the honour and reputation of persons. These offences were classified as serious criminal offences under the Criminal Code.

{{reflist|20em}}

;Books

{{refbegin|60em}}

• {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Balkan Battlegrounds|2002}}|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0AoPAAAACAAJ|title=Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990–1995|publisher=Diane Publishing Company|year=2003|isbn= 978-0-7567-2930-1|access-date=1 January 2013}}
• {{cite book|title=Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States|year=1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmN95fFocsMC| ref={{harvid|EECIS|1999}}|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-85743-058-5}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3fLRcHYSVAC|title=Diplomacy on the Edge: Containment of Ethnic Conflict and the Minorities Working Group of the Conferences on Yugoslavia|first=Geert-Hinrich|last=Ahrens|publisher=Woodrow Wilson Center Press|year=2007|isbn= 978-0-8018-8557-0|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LKxOvYnbHokC|title=Blue Helmets and Black Markets|first=Peter|last=Andreas|publisher=Cornell University Press|year=2011|isbn=9780801457043|access-date=6 April 2013}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pXygFoqg-G0C|title=Twilight of Impunity: The War Crimes Trial of Slobodan Milosevic|first=Judith|last=Armatta|publisher=Duke University Press|year=2010|isbn= 978-0-8223-4746-0|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TJ3CzP2MiZUC|title=The Market for Force: The Consequences of Privatizing Security|first=Deborah D.|last=Avant|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2005|isbn= 978-0-521-61535-8|access-date=1 January 2013}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jrHOKsU9pEC|title=The Balkans: A Post-Communist History|first1=Robert|last1=Bideleux|first2=Ian|last2=Jeffries|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2007|isbn= 978-0-415-22962-3|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|title=Confronting the Yugoslav Controversies: A Scholars' Initiative|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t0nYdgFrdG8C|editor=Charles W. Ingrao|editor2=Thomas Allan Emmert|chapter=The War in Croatia, 1991–1995|first1=Mile|last1= Bjelajac|first2=Ozren |last2=Žunec|publisher=Purdue University Press|year=2009|isbn= 978-1-55753-533-7|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UhT4G7aXK9oC|title=Nato's 'Peace Enforcement' Tasks and 'Policy Communities': 1990–1999|first=Giovanna|last=Bono|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|year=2003|isbn= 978-0-7546-0944-5|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AZJtWi-zF4IC|title=Victory for Hire: Private Security Companies' Impact on Military Effectiveness|first=Molly|last=Dunigan|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn= 978-0-8047-7459-8|year=2011|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mvjm82mAKfkC|title=War and Change in the Balkans: Nationalism, Conflict and Cooperation|editor=Brad K. Blitz|chapter=Negotiating peace in Croatia: a personal account of the road to Erdut|author-link=Peter Galbraith|first=Peter|last=Galbraith|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2006|isbn= 978-0-521-67773-8|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|title=Confronting the Yugoslav Controversies: A Scholars' Initiative|chapter-url=https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/purduepress_ebooks/28/|editor=Charles W. Ingrao|editor2=Thomas Allan Emmert|chapter=Ethnic Cleansing and War Crimes, 1991–1995|first=Marie-Janine|last=Calic|publisher=Purdue University Press|year=2009|isbn= 978-1-55753-533-7|location=West Lafayette, Indiana}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?as_isbn=5941910037|script-title=ru:История югославского кризиса: 1990–2000|language=ru|trans-title=The history of the Yugoslav crisis: 1990–2000|first=Elena|last=Guskova|publisher=Russkoe pravo|isbn= 978-5941910038|year=2001}}
• {{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFXdiS25N78C|editor-first=Sabrina P.|editor-last=Ramet|title=Central and Southeast European Politics Since 1989|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781139487504|chapter=The War of Yugoslav Succession|first=Marko Attila|last=Hoare|author-link=Marko Attila Hoare|year=2010}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?as_isbn=9785916741216|title=Югославия в XX веке: очерки политической истории|language=ru|trans-title=Yugoslavia in the 20th Century: Essays on Political History|first=Konstantin|last=Nikiforov|publisher=Indrik|isbn= 9785916741216|year=2011}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FTw3lEqi2-oC|title=The Three Yugoslavias: State-Building And Legitimation, 1918–2006|first=Sabrina P.|last=Ramet|publisher=Indiana University Press|year=2006|isbn= 978-0-253-34656-8|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFXdiS25N78C|editor-first=Sabrina P.|editor-last=Ramet|title=Central and Southeast European Politics Since 1989|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2010|isbn=9781139487504|chapter=Politics in Croatia since 1990|first=Sabrina P.|last=Ramet}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uWl5WE2riGUC|title=The UN International Criminal Tribunals: The Former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone|first=William A.|last=Schabas|year=2006|isbn= 978-0-521-84657-8|publisher=Cambridge University Press|access-date=12 January 2013}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W0L_GAAACAAJ|title=Knin je pao u Beogradu|language=sr|trans-title=Knin was lost in Belgrade|first=Milisav|last=Sekulić|year=2000|publisher=Nidda Verlag|access-date=2 January 2013|oclc=47749339}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qY1pAAAAMAAJ|title=Hronika prognanih Krajišnika|language=sr|trans-title=Chronicle of Expelled Krajišniks|first=Savo|last=Štrbac|author-link=Savo Štrbac|publisher=Zora|isbn= 978-86-83809-24-0|year=2005}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJM0z-eATfQC|title=Nordic, Central & Southeastern Europe 2012|first=Wayne C.|last=Thompson|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn= 978-1-61048-891-4|year=2012|access-date=28 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i9zyRYYIJK4C|title=The United Nations Security Council and War:The Evolution of Thought and Practice since 1945|editor=Vaughan Lowe|editor2=Adam Roberts|editor3=Jennifer Welsh|editor4=Dominik Zaum|first=Susan L.|last=Woodward|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2010|isbn= 978-0-19-161493-4|chapter=The Security Council and the Wars in the Former Yugoslavia|access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i9zyRYYIJK4C|title=Ethnic Minorities and Politics in Post-Socialist Southeastern Europe|first=Filip|last=Škiljan|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2016|doi=10.1017/CBO9781316671290.007|chapter=The Security Council and the Wars in the Former Yugoslavia|access-date=2 May 2020}}

{{refend}}

;Scientific journal articles

{{refbegin|60em}}

• {{cite journal|journal=Časopis Za Suvremenu Povijest|issn=0590-9597|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/48000?lang=en|title=Osvrt na operaciju "Bljesak" u dokumentima Republike Srpske Krajine|language=hr|trans-title=A review of Operation Flash in documents published by the Republic of Serbian Krajina|first=Ivan|last=Brigović|volume=41|issue=1|date=July 2009|access-date=25 January 2013}}
• {{cite journal|first1=Richard|last1=Jones|first2=Oliver|last2=Ramsbotham|first3=Tom|last3=Woodhouse|title=Peacekeeping mission updates (January–March 1995)|journal=International Peacekeeping|volume=2|issue=2|pages=246–251|year=1995|doi=10.1080/13533319508413554|issn=1353-3312}}
• {{cite journal|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=113509&lang=en|journal=Journal – Institute of Croatian History|issn=0353-295X|title=Autocesta – okosnica rata u zapadnoj Slavoniji|language=hr|first=Domagoj|last=Štefančić|volume=43|issue=1|date=December 2011|trans-title=Motorway – axis of war in the Western Slavonia|access-date=27 January 2013}}

{{refend}}

;News reports (listed in chronological order)

{{refbegin|60em}}

• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|19 August 1990}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/19/world/roads-sealed-as-yugoslav-unrest-mounts.html |agency=Reuters |title=Roads Sealed as Yugoslav Unrest Mounts |date=19 August 1990 |access-date=31 October 2012}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|3 March 1991}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/03/world/belgrade-sends-troops-to-croatia-town.html |first=Stephen |last=Engelberg |title=Belgrade Sends Troops to Croatia Town |date=3 March 1991 |access-date=18 January 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|2 April 1991}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/02/world/rebel-serbs-complicate-rift-on-yugoslav-unity.html |title=Rebel Serbs Complicate Rift on Yugoslav Unity |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |author-link=Chuck Sudetic |date=2 April 1991 |access-date=18 January 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|26 June 1991}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/26/world/2-yugoslav-states-vote-independence-to-press-demands.html |title=2 Yugoslav States Vote Independence To Press Demands |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |author-link=Chuck Sudetic |date=26 June 1991 |access-date=12 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110162855/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/26/world/2-yugoslav-states-vote-independence-to-press-demands.html |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|29 June 1991}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/29/world/conflict-in-yugoslavia-2-yugoslav-states-agree-to-suspend-secession-process.html |title=Conflict in Yugoslavia; 2 Yugoslav States Agree to Suspend Secession Process |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |author-link=Chuck Sudetic |date=29 June 1991 |access-date=12 December 2010}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|24 September 1991}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/24/world/serbs-and-croats-seeing-war-in-different-prisms.html |title=Serbs and Croats: Seeing War in Different Prisms |first=Alan |last=Cowell |author-link=Alan S. Cowell |date=24 September 1991 |access-date=28 December 2012}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|18 November 1991}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/18/world/croats-concede-danube-town-s-loss.html |title=Croats Concede Danube Town's Loss |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |author-link=Chuck Sudetic |date=18 November 1991 |access-date=28 December 2012}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|3 January 1992}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/03/world/yugoslav-factions-agree-to-un-plan-to-halt-civil-war.html |title=Yugoslav Factions Agree to U.N. Plan to Halt Civil War |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |author-link=Chuck Sudetic |date=3 January 1992 |access-date=28 December 2010}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Los Angeles Times|29 January 1992}} |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-29-mn-906-story.html |title=Roadblock Stalls U.N.'s Yugoslavia Deployment |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |first=Carol J. |last=Williams |date=29 January 1992 |access-date=28 December 2010}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|15 July 1992}} |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/15/world/the-walls-and-the-will-of-dubrovnik.html |title=The Walls and the Will of Dubrovnik |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Michael T. |last=Kaufman |author-link=Michael T. Kaufman |date=15 July 1992 |access-date=28 December 2012}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Seattle Times|16 July 1992}} |newspaper=The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19920716/1502415/serb-artillery-hits-refugees |title=Serb Artillery Hits Refugees – At Least 8 Die As Shells Hit Packed Stadium |date=16 July 1992 |access-date=23 December 2010 |first=Peter |last=Maass |author-link=Peter Maass}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Independent|10 October 1992}} |newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/croatia-built-web-of-contacts-to-evade-weapons-embargo-1556500.html |title=Croatia built 'web of contacts' to evade weapons embargo |first=Christopher |last=Bellamy |date=10 October 1992 |access-date=28 December 2012}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|24 January 1993}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/24/world/croats-battle-serbs-for-a-key-bridge-near-the-adriatic.html |title=Croats Battle Serbs for a Key Bridge Near the Adriatic |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |author-link=Chuck Sudetic |date=24 January 1993 |access-date=28 December 2012}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|13 September 1993}} |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/13/world/rebel-serbs-list-50-croatia-sites-they-may-raid.html |title=Rebel Serbs List 50 Croatia Sites They May Raid |date=13 September 1993 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=14 October 2011}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|2 May 1995}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/02/world/croatia-hits-area-rebel-serbs-hold-crossing-un-lines.html |title=Croatia hits area rebel Serbs hold, crossing U.N. lines |first=Roger |last=Cohen |author-link=Roger Cohen |date=2 May 1995 |access-date=29 December 2012}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|San Francisco Chronicle|3 May 1995}} |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Serbs-Attack-Zagreb-With-Cluster-Bombs-Step-3034539.php |title=Serbs Attack Zagreb With Cluster Bombs |date=3 May 1995 |access-date=2 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|4 May 1995}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/04/world/rebel-serbs-pound-zagreb-for-second-day.html |title=Rebel Serbs Pound Zagreb for Second Day |first=Roger |last=Cohen |author-link=Roger Cohen |date=4 May 1995 |access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|17 August 1995}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/17/world/dubrovnik-finds-hint-of-deja-vu-in-serbian-artillery.html |title=Dubrovnik Finds Hint of Deja Vu in Serbian Artillery |first=Raymond |last=Bonner |author-link=Raymond Bonner |date=17 August 1995 |access-date=28 December 2010}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Nacional|24 April 2002}} |newspaper=Nacional (weekly) |url=http://www.nacional.hr/clanak/10218/janko-bobetko-greske-generala-dzanka-u-akciji-bljesak-moze-potvrditi-moj-tadasnji-pomocnik-general-stipetic |language=hr |title=Janko Bobetko: 'Greške generala Džanka u akciji 'Bljesak' može potvrditi moj tadašnji pomoćnik general Stipetić' |trans-title=Janko Bobetko: Mistakes of General Džanko in Operation Flash may be corroborated by my aide at the time, General Stipetić |date=24 April 2002 |first=Jasna |last=Babić |access-date=2 February 2013}}
• {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Index.hr|24 July 2003}} |publisher=Index.hr |url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/hho-iznio-imena-83-srpska-civila-koje-je-navodno-ubila-hv-tijekom-bljeska/150324.aspx |language=hr |title=HHO iznio imena 83 srpska civila koje je navodno ubila HV tijekom "Bljeska" |trans-title=HHO publishes names of 83 Serb civilians allegedly killed by the HV in the "Flash" |date=24 July 2003 |access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Slobodna Dalmacija|18 September 2004}} |newspaper=Slobodna Dalmacija |language=hr |url=http://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/20040918/temedana01.asp |title=Heroj domovinskog rata |trans-title=Hero of the Croatian War of Independence |date=18 September 2004 |first=Zvonimir |last=Krstulović |access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Index.hr|29 April 2005}} |publisher=Index.hr |language=hr |url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/u-novskoj-obiljezena-10-obljetnica-bljeska/262852.aspx |title=U Novskoj obilježena 10. obljetnica "Bljeska" |trans-title=10th anniversary of "Flash" marked in Novska |date=29 April 2005 |access-date=2 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Jutarnji list|9 December 2007}} |newspaper=Jutarnji list |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/kresimir-cosic--amerikanci-nam-nisu-dali-da-branimo-bihac/234966/ |language=hr |first=Vlado |last=Vurušić |title=Krešimir Ćosić: Amerikanci nam nisu dali da branimo Bihać |trans-title=Krešimir Ćosić: Americans did not let us defend Bihać |date=9 December 2007 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028092334/http://www.jutarnji.hr/kresimir-cosic--amerikanci-nam-nisu-dali-da-branimo-bihac/234966/ |archive-date=28 October 2010}}
• {{cite web |ref={{harvid|B92|1 May 2009}} |publisher=B92 |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=05&dd=01&nav_id=58861 |title=Anniversary of Croatia's "Flash" onslaught |date=1 May 2009 |access-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104185138/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=05&dd=01&nav_id=58861 |archive-date=4 November 2012}}
• {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Radio Free Europe|20 August 2010}} |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/hrvatska_oluja_vojska_mpri/2133466.html |title=Tvrdnje da je MPRI pomagao pripremu 'Oluje' izmišljene |language=hr |trans-title=Claims that the MPRI helped prepare the 'Storm' are fabrications |date=20 August 2010 |first=Ankica |last=Barbir-Mladinović |access-date=3 January 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Nacional|1 May 2011}} |newspaper=Nacional (weekly) |language=hr |url=http://www.nacional.hr/clanak/107080/bebic-bljesak-je-obasjao-nadolazecu-oluju |title=Bebić: "Bljesak" je obasjao nadolazeću "Oluju" |trans-title=Bebić: "Flash" made forthcoming "Storm" bright |date=1 May 2011 |access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Jutarnji list|2 May 2012}} |newspaper=Jutarnji list |language=hr |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/zagreb-prije-17-godina-napadnut-raketnim-sustavom--quot-orkan-quot-/1025435/ |title=Centar Zagreba prije 17 godina raketiran u odmazdi za "Bljesak": Poginulo je šestero, a ranjeno 205 ljudi |trans-title=Downtown Zagreb rocket attack 17 years ago in retaliation for "Flash": Six killed, 205 wounded |access-date=2 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Glas Slavonije|4 May 2012}} |newspaper=Glas Slavonije |language=hr |url=http://www.glas-slavonije.hr/166139/1/-Stipetic:-Nakon-Bljeska-nije-bilo-mucenja-ratnih-zarobljenika |title=Stipetić: Nakon Bljeska nije bilo mučenja ratnih zarobljenika |trans-title=Stipetić: No POWs were tortured after Operation Flash |first=Dražen |last=Boroš |access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|BBC|28 February 2013}} |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21621242 |title=Momcilo Perisic: Yugoslav army chief conviction overturned |date=28 February 2013 |access-date=28 February 2013}}
• {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New York Times|05 September 1997}} |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/05/world/croatian-s-confession-describes-torture-and-killing-on-vast-scale.html?scp=1&sq=pakra%C4%8Dka%20poljana&st=cse |title=Croatian's Confession Describes Torture and Killing on Vast Scale |date=5 September 1997}}
• {{Cite news |date=1 May 2017 |title=Početak vojno-redarstvene operacije "Bljesak" |work=Vojna Povijest |url=https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/ |ref={{harvid|Vojna Povijest|1 May 2017}}}}{{refend}}

;Other sources

{{refbegin|60em}}

• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|ICTY|IT-95-11}}|publisher=International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia|url=http://www.icty.org/x/cases/martic/cis/en/cis_martic_en.pdf|title=Case information sheet – "RSK" (IT-95-11) Milan Martić|access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|UNCRO}}|publisher=United Nations|url=https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/uncro.htm|title=United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation|access-date=2 January 2013}}
• {{cite journal|ref={{harvid|Narodne novine|8 October 1991}}|url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/1991_10_53_1265.html|journal=Narodne novine|issue=53|issn=1333-9273|language=hr|title=Odluka|trans-title=Decision|date=8 October 1991|access-date=12 July 2012}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|ECOSOC|17 November 1993}}|url=http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/2848af408d01ec0ac1256609004e770b/3e70ccf5ab7cd9c9802566710056e56f?OpenDocument#CONTENTS|title=Situation of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia|publisher=United Nations Economic and Social Council|date=17 November 1993|access-date=28 December 2012}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|UNSC|1 May 1995}}|publisher=United Nations Security Council|url=https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/PRST/1995/23|title=Statement by the President of the Security Council (S/PRST/1995/23)|date=1 May 1995|access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|UNSC|4 May 1995}}|publisher=United Nations Security Council|url=https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/PRST/1995/26|title=Statement by the President of the Security Council (S/PRST/1995/26)|date=4 May 1995|access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|UNHCR|17 May 1995}}|publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|date=17 May 1995|title=Resolution 994 (1995) Adopted by the Security Council at its 3537th meeting, on 17 May 1995|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3b00f15d54.html|access-date=18 March 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|HRW|July 1995}}|publisher=Human Rights Watch|url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/croatia957.pdf|title=The Croatian army offensive in western Slavonia and its aftermath|date=July 1995|access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Narodne novine|7 August 1995}}|publisher=Croatian Government|url=http://digured.hr/cadial/searchdoc.php?query=&lang=hr&bid=TyJuvw9k0ErWujUZ%2B3qO0g%3D%3D|language=hr|title=Odluka o ustanovljenju medalja za sudjelovanje u vojno-redarstvenim operacijama i u iznimnim pothvatima (NN 060/1995)|trans-title=Decision on establishment of medals commemorating partaking of military-policing operations and exceptional efforts (OG 060/1995)|date=7 August 1995|access-date=4 January 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|ICTY|22 January 2004}}|url=http://www.icty.org/x/cases/slobodan_milosevic/trans/en/040122ED.htm|publisher=International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia|access-date=27 January 2013|date=22 January 2004|title=ICTY Trial of Slobodan Milošević – Transcript}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|ICTY|12 June 2007}}|title=The Prosecutor vs. Milan Martic – Judgement|url=http://www.icty.org/x/cases/martic/tjug/en/070612.pdf|publisher=International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia|date=12 June 2007|access-date=11 August 2010}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|MORH|2010}}|year=2010|url=http://www.morh.hr/aktualne-teme/15.-obljetnica-operacije-bljesak-2010/vojno-redarstvena-operacija-bljesak.html|publisher=Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|language=hr|title=Vojno redarstvena operacija "Bljesak"|trans-title=Military and police operation "Flash"|access-date=2 February 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|ICTY|6 September 2011}}|title=Summary of the Judgement in the Case of Prosecutor v. Momčilo Perišić|url=http://www.icty.org/x/cases/perisic/tjug/en/110906_summary.pdf|publisher=International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia|date=6 September 2007|access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|DORH|May 2012}}|publisher=State Attorney's Office (Croatia)|url=http://www.dorh.hr/ZupanijskoDrzavnoOdvjetnistvoUOsijekuUEmisiji|title=U emisiji "In medias res" objavljene netočne tvrdnje|language=hr|trans-title="In medias res" show publicized false claims|date=May 2012|access-date=3 February 2013}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|President of Croatia|14 December 2012}}|url=http://www.predsjednik.hr/14122016|language=hr|title=Predsjednik Josipović odlikovao 15. križevačku protuoklopnu topničko-raketnu brigadu|trans-title=President Josipović decorates the 15th Antitank Artillery-Rocket Brigade Križevci|date=14 December 2012|access-date=2 February 2013|publisher=Office of the President of Croatia}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|HRW|March 1999}}|publisher=Human Rights Watch|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a7df4.html|title=Second Class Citizens: The Serbs of Croatia|date=March 1999|access-date=2 May 2020}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Amnesty|1 January 2017}}|title=Amnesty International report 2016/2017 | url=https://www.amnesty.nl/content/uploads/2017/02/POL1048002017ENGLISH.pdf?x93624| format=PDF | publisher=Amnesty International | date=1 January 2017}}

{{refend}}

{{Wars and battles involving Croatia}}

{{Wars and battles involving Serbs}}

{{Serbian minority institutions and organizations in Croatia}}

{{Yugoslav wars}}

{{Coord|45.26|17.2|display=title}}{{commons category|Operation Flash}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flash, Operation}}

Category:1995 in Croatia

Category:Conflicts in 1995

Category:Military operations of the Croatian War of Independence

Category:May 1995 in Europe

Category:Military campaigns involving Croatia