Two European countries actively preparing for war
Serbia and Croatia are preparing for a possible conflict: military service is to be reinstated in both countries.
The duration of conscription in Croatia will be two months from January 1st, while in Serbia it will be 75 days.
Serbia and Croatia are the two countries that will reintroduce conscription after abolishing it in 2011 and 2008 respectively. In Croatia's case, the announcement was made last August by its Minister of Defense, Ivan Anusic.
"I think we will have better and stronger armed forces than before," he said at the time.
From January 1st, military service for men in Croatia will last two months and will be reinstated for the first time in 16 years. The Croatian government first considered introducing it following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In Serbia, military service is returning after 13 years, although the measure announced by President Aleksandar Vučić will have to be ratified by parliament. Mandatory for men, women will be able to do it on a voluntary basis.
"We don't want to attack anyone. What we want is to deter all those who threaten us on a daily basis."
(MH with FM/Source: Agency/Photo: Filip Andrejevic/Unsplash)