Yugoslav Jets, Tanks Step Up Attacks on Croatia

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia —  Army jets, tanks and gunships battered Croatian positions Sunday in some of the harshest attacks yet on the breakaway republic. News reports said at least 18 people were killed.

Fighting has escalated between Croatia’s forces and army-backed ethnic Serb militiamen opposed to secession, and Croatian officials have vowed to continue fighting unless federal soldiers withdraw.

The heaviest fighting was in and around Vukovar in eastern Croatia, where Croatian forces shot down a federal air force plane Saturday. The pilot ejected and was rescued, an army statement said.

On Sunday in Vukovar, a shell hit a car, killing three civilians and injuring 11, the local radio said. And Radio Zagreb said warplanes bombed the town and that gunships on the Danube River opened fire.

Radio Zagreb said Serb guerrillas and federal troops are trying to take Vukovar and described the fighting as the heaviest involving the federal military since Croatia declared independence June 25.

Two people were killed at Borovo Selo north of Vukovar, Croatian television reported.

At least 13 other people were killed in battles Sunday, according to other reports.

On Sunday, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and Defense Minister Luka Bebic toured several Croatian-held towns south of Zagreb, the radio said.

Tudjman and his military commanders met Saturday in Zagreb to make “preparations for the defense of Croatia.” Croatian leaders have said the republic will order civilians to arm themselves unless the army withdraws by next Saturday.