Unit Name: | Dušan the Mighty |
Native Name: | Dušan Silni |
Dates: | 1991–1992 |
Allegiance: | Republic of Serbian Krajina |
Branch: | Army of Serbian Krajina |
Type: | Light Infantry Paramilitary |
Size: | ~100 |
Battles: | |
Notable Commanders: | Mirko Jović |
Dušan the Mighty (Serbian: Душан Силни|Dušan Silni) was a Serbian paramilitary unit formed in 1991. It was the armed wing of the Serbian National Renewal and volunteer unit.[1] The unit was active in the Yugoslav wars, mainly in Croatia in 1991, including an engagement in Zvornik in 1992. The unit was responsible for the killings of Croatian citizens in Lovas.[2] At the end of the war, 3 of its members were prosecuted for war crimes.
The Dušan the Mighty paramilitary unit was deployed into western Slavonia in 1991, during the start of the Croatian War of Independence; prior to this, the paramilitary was created by members of the Serbian National Renewal around early 1991.[3] The unit was under control and support of the Yugoslav Security Directorate, the unit along with the White Eagles had lost its support from the Yugoslav Security Directorate, due to the resistance of complying with the Vance plan and supporting Croatian-Serb Leader Milan Babić.
Dušan the Mighty joined the White Eagles at Borovo Selo,[4] when Croatian policemen who went in Borovo Selo unauthorized.[5] They were then ambushed by SAO Krajina forces. About 13 were killed in total,[6] the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) then stopped the fighting.
On October 18, 1991, Serbian forces supported by the Dušan the Mighty militia captured about 50 Croatian citizens from the town of Lovas, where they were sent to an agricultural cooperative. They were assisted by the JNA, killing and torturing 40-70 citizens, 3 members were then charged:
They were found guilty for crimes related to the Lovas killings.[7] [8]