The
Croats or
Crabats () were a 17th-century skilled mobile light military forces. The Croats were initially irregular units loosely organized in bands. The first regular Croat regiment was established in 1625. The most notable engagement of the Croats was their participation on the side of the
Catholic League in the
Thirty Years' War. Besides Croatian and Hungarian recruits from the territories of Habsburg Monarchy, the Croats were composed of soldiers recruited all over Eastern Europe, such as
Serbs,
Albanians,
Transylvanians,
Poles,
Cossacks,
Wallachians and
Tatars.