Русская версияGeorgian troops have pulled out of the break-away region of South
Ossetia.
A spokesman for the country's interior ministry told
reporters in Tbilisi that the move was not the result of a military
defeat, but instead meant to protect civilians in the region. This
comes after two days of fighting between Georgian and Russian
troops that has left hundreds of civilians dead and forced many
others to flee their homes. Georgian officials claim that Russia
has sent an additional 10,000 troops into South Ossetia in
preparation for an attack. Clashes have also been reported in
Abkhazia. That's another separatist region in the west of Georgia.
The fighting broke out on Friday after Georgian troops moved into
South Ossetia in an effort to take control of the regional capital,
Tskhinvali. Georgia has declared a "state of war", giving President
Mikheil Saakashvili the right to impose curfews and restrict
movement. It has also mobilised all of its troops and reservists.
Georgia's 2,000 soldiers in Iraq were to be brought home within the
next few days.
(Deutsche Welle)
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