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TSKHINVALI, South Ossetia (AP) – Russia sent columns of tanks and reportedly bombed Georgian air bases after Georgia launched a military offensive to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia, threatening to ignite a broader conflict.
Hundreds of civilians were reported dead in the worst outbreak of hostilities since the province won de facto independence in a war against Georgia that ended in 1992. Witnesses said the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali was devastated.
“I saw bodies lying on the streets, around ruined buildings, in cars,” said Lyudmila Ostayeva, 50, who fled with her family to Dzhava, a village near the border with Russia. “It’s impossible to count them now. There is hardly a single building left undamaged.”
The fighting broke out as much of the world’s attention was focused on the start of the Olympic Games and many leaders, including Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Bush, were in Beijing.
The timing suggests Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili may have been counting on surprise to fulfill his longtime pledge to wrest back control of South Ossetia — a key to his hold on power.
(Army Times) – Georgia has about 2,000 troops deployed to Iraq, making it the third largest coalition force contributor behind the U.S. and Great Britain.
The U.S. called Aug. 8 for an immediate cease-fire in the conflict, which began when Russia sent columns of tanks and reportedly bombed Georgian air bases after Georgia launched a major military offensive to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia.
One of the air bases reportedly bombed was Vaziani, where in July about 1,000 U.S. Marines and soldiers participated in a combat-skills training exercise with Georgian forces.
The exercise, Operation Immediate Response 2008, ended less than 10 days before the current clash between Georgia and Russia began.
The Marines and soldiers taught combat skills to Georgian soldiers, as well as about 30 troops from nearby Armenia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. The U.S. troops included about 300 reservists with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, and about 300 Army reservists with the Winder, Ga.-based 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili praised the exercise July 21, saying on Georgian television that it showed the country had “the best trained and equipped army” in the strategic Caucasus mountain region, according to the Associated Press.
TBILISI, August 8 (Itar-Tass) — Georgian governmental forces fully control Tskhinvali, as well as all districts and residential areas in South Ossetia with the exception of the Java district, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said in a televised address to the nation at 9:30 p.m. Moscow time.
“The city of Tskhinvali has been fully freed from illegal armed units. Unfortunately, Tskhinvali has been damaged greatly in the fire exchanges of the past two days and the intensive bombings done by Russian warplanes today,” he said.
(BBC News) Aug. 9, 2008 – Russia says it is sending extra troops to the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia after another night of fierce fighting with Georgian forces. President Dmitry Medvedev said his country had begun an operation “to force the Georgian side to peace”.
Russian jets have also bombed military targets in the Georgian town of Gori. Georgian soldiers told the BBC the targets were three nearby military bases, where thousands of troops are stationed. Soldiers and civilians have been seen running through the streets, fleeing for safety.
Earlier, the Georgian foreign ministry also said the Black Sea port of Poti, which is the site of a major oil shipment facility, had been “devastated” by a Russian aerial bombardment.
This is some gamble by Georgian President Saakashvili…. who, btw, was taught the art of propaganda – not much else:
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(CSM) March 31, 2008 – The US, as well as several Central European members, favor Ukraine’s and Georgia’s request. But Germany, France, and other Western European members of NATO have misgivings. They don’t want to antagonize oil-and-gas supplier Russia, which views NATO enlargement as a threat. Russia warns it will target nuclear missiles at Ukraine if it joins NATO.
MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) July 15, 2008 – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the placement of a U.S. missile shield in Europe will harm regional security.
“The placement of elements of a U.S. global missile shield in Eastern Europe will only aggravate the situation,” Medvedev said at a meeting with senior Russian diplomats in Moscow.
Moscow has strongly opposed the possible deployment by the U.S. of 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and an accompanying radar in the Czech Republic as a threat to its security and international nuclear deterrence. Washington says the defenses are needed to deter a possible strike from Iran.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."It’s funny how Bush backs Georgia’s territorial integrity. I don’t recall the US being particularly concerned about Yugoslavia’s or Serbia’s territorial integrity.
What is Russia’s interest in Georgia’s internal civil war that they attack Georgia? Recovering control over Georgia and bringing back the Evil Empire? Meanwhile, Bush goads Russia with deployment of his worthless missile shield. Just the thing to encourage Russian paranoia.
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A majority of South Ossetians have the Russian nationality and their separatist movement want to join North Ossetia as part of Russia. The truce agreement was broken by Georgian aggression and an attack on the capital Tskhinvali, thereby causing hundreds of deaths including Russian peacekeepers stationed at the border.
The other breakaway province of Abkhazia wants independence.
Georgia has backing by the US to antagonize the Russian bear in the region, however this may well backfire and create a Caucasian mess.
There’a another potentially crucial aspect to this new war in the Caucasus. This aspect comes the form of a DEBKAfile exclusive report: “Israel backs Georgia in Caspian Oil Pipeline Battle with Russia“.
Key excerpt:
“Last year, the Georgian president commissioned from private Israeli security firms several hundred military advisers, estimated at up to 1,000, to train the Georgian armed forces in commando, air, sea, armored and artillery combat tactics. They also offer instruction on military intelligence and security for the central regime. Tbilisi also purchased weapons, intelligence and electronic warfare systems from Israel.
These advisers were undoubtedly deeply involved in the Georgian army’s preparations to conquer the South Ossetian capital.”
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."I read that….comes as no surprise – the OIL acronym – (Oil.Israel.League-of-Mercs) once again, side by side with U.S. advisers, are the main ingredient everywhere you have one of these conflicts for fuel.
Israel is also helping the Kurds…translation Kirkuk.
Thanks for the background, Oui. Sounds like the Polish Corridor to me.
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“The violence is endangering regional peace, civilian lives have been lost and others are endangered. We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand-down by all troops. We call for an end to the Russian bombings, and a return by the parties to the status quo of Aug. 6.”
US President George W. Bush, seen here with Russian President Vladimir Putin before a reception in the Great Hall of the People in BeijingThe president looked grim and addressed the reporters without an introduction. He left the room without taking any questions.
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Bush had spoken very recently with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and “reiterated the United States position to both leaders.”
Sky News – Georgia In State Of War With Russia
≈ Cross-posted from my diary — Georgian Attack Killed 1,600 S Ossatians
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."