US Embassy Calls on Russia to Withdraw Its Forces from Georgia's Occupied Territories

In connection with the 10th anniversary of the Georgia-Russia August war of 2008, a conflict which left 20% of the Georgian territory occupied and forced thousands of people to become Internally displaced, the United States Embassy to Georgia has released a statement calling on the Russian Federation to withdraw its forces from breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“Next week marks 10 years since Russia’s armed forces poured across the international border with Georgia, attempting to change those borders by force. Several thousand Russian forces moved into the city of Gori and other areas far from the conflict zone, such as Georgia’s main port of Poti, far from the main area of fighting,” the statement reads, noting that Russia also seized the last Georgian-held portion of Abkhazia, where there had been no fighting.

The US Embassy underlined that Russia’s assault on Georgia began as its army crossed an internationally recognized boundary in an attempt to change by force the borders of another country.

“Russia still occupies Georgian territory. We again call on Russia to withdraw its forces to pre-war positions, as it agreed in 2008,” the statement reads.

The military conflict between Russia and Georgia took place from August 8 to August 12, when a ceasefire agreement was signed by the sides, obliging Russia to withdraw its forces from Georgian territories and free the conflict zone. 

Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia on 26 August; in response, the Georgian government cut diplomatic relations with Russia. 

At present, only Syria, Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru and Venezuela recognize Georgia’s breakaway regions as independent states. The remaining international community underlines that Russian-backed Abkhazia and South Ossetia are integral parts of Georgia.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: Caspian News