WW3 fears as NATO nation reinstates conscription amid ‘crisis’ warning – World News – News
The Croatian Defense Ministry said the aim was to educate young citizens on the essential capabilities and understanding required in “crisis situations” so they can support national defense. Authorities will begin summoning recruits born in 2007 for medical exams before the end of the year.
HRT said recruits will earn a salary and those with moral objections will be allowed to choose civilian service as an alternative. Croatia has strengthened its military forces at a time when many European countries fear Russian attack. In July, the country celebrated a major victory in the 1991-95 war with a major military parade.
This war followed the independence of the former Yugoslavia. Since the 1990s, relations between Croatia and Serbia, its war enemy, have remained tense.
Across Europe, discussions about compulsory military service have intensified. Countries are considering whether conscription could strengthen national security.
Lithuania partially restored it in 2015, followed by Sweden in 2017 and France in 2019. In April, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken expressed his desire to increase his country’s troops to 20,000.
According to Euronews, the German government approved legislation in August proposing to promote voluntary recruitment. In the United Kingdom, there is no conscription or compulsory military service.
