The situation in South Ossetia escalated rapidly from August 07, 2008 Thursday night, when Georgia said it launched an operation into the break-away region of South Ossetia after artillery fire from separatists killed 10 people. On August 8, Russia, which considers the Georgian operation to be an act of genocide against Ossetians, responded by moving additional troops across the Georgian border, bringing tanks and artillery into South Ossetia as well as starting intensive air strikes on the military and strategic locations all over Georgia. The Russian government stated its justification for entering Georgian territory was to protect Russian citizens (since most South Ossetians hold Russian passports) and its peacekeepers in South Ossetia, and to enforce the peacekeeping mandate given to it by the UN.
The government officials declare that more than 4.500 ethnic Georgians are already arrived in collective centers near the national capital, Tbilisi. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is expected to rise to as many as 20,000, according to UNHCR, while about 5,000 South Ossetians have already fled to the neighbouring North Ossetia-Alania region of Russia. The shelters are located in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Gardabani, mainly in the eastern part of Georgia, however as Ministry of Health and Labor states, the governments is oriented to open shelters in western part of Georgia as well. There are many dead and wounded, but the numbers are not fully calculated. According to the official figures from the Ministry of Health and Labor, around 90 people are reported as dead, 47 among them civilians from non-conflict zone. The final number of casualties will be announced later on.
The war has officially stopped on August 12, when the Russia's president has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia. However, the Russian side stated that the bombings of military locations may resume if nesessary. |