Georgia reports military buildup along border with South Ossetia
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Georgia said it had observed a “mobilisation of military equipment and personnel” in the separatist region of South Ossetia after an ultimatum issued by the breakaway territory expired.
Georgia warned on Friday of the risk of a “serious confrontation” with South Ossetia after it demanded that Georgian authorities remove a checkpoint on its disputed boundary.
The US has expressed concern over Georgian reports of a “military buildup” near the administrative boundary (ABL) line of the Russia-backed region of South Ossetia.
The US, Russia, and EU called for restraint after a demand from South Ossetia that Georgia dismantles a wooden observation post by August 30 went unmet.
Barbed wire of the border between the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia and Georgia in the village of Khurvaleti, some 60 kms from Tbilisi, Georgia. EPA/ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE
“We call on the Russian Federation to utilize all available channels to prevent further escalation of the situation along the ABL,” a US State Department spokesperson said.
The three international powers also urged Georgia and South Ossetia to abide by the mechanisms set up to settle disputes after Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008 that resulted in Moscow maintaining a strong military presence in South Ossetia.
The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia said that its monitors were maintaining “a 24-hour presence” along the disputed boundary in the vicinity of Chorchana and Tsnelisi area, “with a view to monitoring the situation and reduce tensions.”
The OSCE, meanwhile, said the “recent developments along the administrative boundary line had negatively impacted the overall security situation.”
Russia, which backed Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abhkazia in its brief but bloody war with Georgia in August 2008, accused Tbilisi of initiating the dispute.
