EQUIPO NIZKOR |
|
02Aug08
Georgia and South Ossetia waging "sniper war"?
Georgia's breakaway republic of South Ossetia reported on Friday evening that three people had been killed as Georgian troops continued to shell its capital, Tskhinvali.
"A Georgian mortar platoon is shelling southern districts of Tskhinvali," South Ossetia's information and press committee said. "The northern [de facto] border is also being shelled. South Ossetia is returning fire."
South Ossetia had earlier reported that Georgian snipers were firing on a border checkpoint in the region, killing one police officer and injuring one more.
Russian peacekeepers deployed in the region confirmed the reports of automatic weapon fire.
"Three people have been killed and seven injured as of 21:00 Moscow time (17:00 GMT) by snipers from the Georgian side firing on Tskhinvali," Commander Vladimir Ivanov said, adding that the attacks were continuing.
South Ossetia's leader said the unrecognized republic would retaliate.
"Georgia has declared a sniper war on the Republic of South Ossetia and made another attempt to unleash a large scale war," Eduard Kokoity said. "The republic has so far refrained from retaliatory moves, but will not do so any more," he said, RIA Novosti reports.
South Ossetia's government head Yuri Morozov held a conference to discuss security measures. He voiced concerned over the fact of "sniper war".
The peacekeeping command has set a look-out station between Ossetian village of Andisi and Georgian Sveri.
[Source: PanArmenian.net, 02Aug08]
 | This document has been published on 09Aug08 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. |