WW3 fears as European country brings back military service to prepare for 'crisis'

Croatia is bringing back compulsory military service (Image: Getty)

Croatia is bringing back compulsory military service amid heightened tensions in Europe. The country's parliament voted in favour of the move on Friday (October 24) as Russia's illegal war against Ukraine rages on and a burgeoning arms race and military build up in the Balkans gathers pace.

Politicians gave the required legal changes a green light in a vote which saw 84 votes in favour, 11 against and 30 abstentions in the 151-member parliament. Army service will last two months and provide basic military training, according to Croatian public broadcaster HRT.

The decision marks a return to conscription, which was suspended in 2008 when the country shifted to a voluntary system.

Croatia's Defence Ministry said the aim is to teach young people the basic skills and knowledge which would be needed in "crisis situations" so they would be able to contribute to national security.

Authorities will start calling conscripts born in 2007 for medical checkups by the end of the year.

HRT reported that conscripts will receive a salary and conscientious objectors would be allowed to choose civilian service instead.

Croatia has been boosting its armed forces at a time when many European countries fear they could face an attack from Russia.

The country held a large military parade in July to mark a major victory from the 1991-95 war, which followed its independence from the former Yugoslavia. Since the 1990s, relations between Croatia and its wartime enemy, Serbia, have remained tense.

Talk of compulsory military service has intensified across Europe where countries are mulling whether conscription could bolster national security.

Lithuania partially reintroduced it in 2015, Sweden in 2017 and France in 2019. Belgium's defence minister, Theo Francken, said in April he wanted to swell the ranks of his country's reservists to 20,000.

The German government approved legislation in August which proposed the promotion of voluntary recruitment, according to Euronews.

There is no conscription or requirement for military service in the UK.