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| War in Abkhazia | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Sukhumiciviliance.jpg Georgian residents of Sukhumi defend their city, 1993. | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus Russian Cossacks  Russian Forces | Paramilitary groups and volunteer batallions | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Iysuph Soslanbekov, Musa Shanibov, Shamil Basaev, Beslan Barghandjia, Anri Djergenia |
Geno Adamia, Guram Gubelashvili, Gia Kharkharashvili, Davit Tevzadze, Soso Akhalaia | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
|
~2,500-4,000 dead, unknown wounded |
~10,000-30,000 dead, unknown wounded | ||||||||
| Involvement Disputed | |||||||||
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The Georgian-Abkhaz conflict refers to the ethnic conflict between Georgians and Abkhaz in Georgia’s Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia (“Abkhazeti” in Georgian) peaked in 1992–1993.
It involved a 13-month long Abkhazian war between Georgian government forces and Abkhaz separatists reinforced by the North Caucasian militants and unofficially supported by Russian forces stationed in the area.
Handling of this conflict was aggravated by the civil war with "Zviadists" (supporters of the former president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia) waged about at the same time period in Western Georgian region of Samegrelo and the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
After several years of mediation, the hostilities were resumed. As a result, between 20,000 to 30,000 ethnic Georgians were killed and more than 250,000 Georgian refugees were displaced. Numerous war crimes were committed by both sides during the conflict, including the Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia. Between 2,500 and 4,000 Abkhaz were killed and another 20,000 became refugees. Post-Soviet Georgia was heavily affected by the war and suffered considerable financial, human and psychological damage. Abkhazia has been devastated by the war and subsequent continued sporadic conflict. The region, de facto independent from Georgia, suffers huge economic and social problems and is entirely dependent on Russia.
History
The situation in the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia has been tense since the end of 1980s when Georgians started demanding the separation from the USSR. In the early spring of 1989, Abkhaz nationalists demanded, in the so-called Lykhny declaration, the separation from Georgia and either a status of separate Soviet Socialist Republic (basing on the short-lived precedent of the existence of the "Union Treaty" Abkhazian SSR which was associated with the Georgian SSR during 1925-1931) or inclusion within the Russian SFSR. In protest to the declaration and the Soviet rule in general, several thousands of Georgians demonstrated in Tbilisi in a series of peaceful actions which concluded with a bloody crackdown by the Soviet troops on April 9 1989.
In the aftermath, the first armed clashes between the representatives of the Abkhazian and Georgian populations took place on July 16–July 17, 1989 in Sukhumi. The conflict was sparkled by alleged violations during the entrance exams to the Sukhumi University, with accusation in bribery, favoritism and discrimination against Abkhazians. The resulting civil unrest quickly turned into militarized clashes resulting in 16 deaths and about 140 wounded, mostly Georgians. To quench the unrest, the Army was invoked.
The government of the Soviet Union did nothing to prevent inter-ethnic conflicts, itself being on the verge of collapse.
The tensions in the autonomy approached the dangerous edge in June 1992, when Abkhaz militants attacked the government buildings in Sukhumi. On July 23, 1992, the Abkhazian government declared independence of the region, though this was not internationally recognized. On August 14, 1992, Georgian police and National Guards units were dispatched to protect railways and restore an order in Abkhazia. The fights broke out the same day. On August 18, 1992, the separatist government left Sokhumi. Georgian government forces managed to take control of most of Abkhazia. On August 26 armed Chechens captured an ethnic Abkhaz Valery Maliuk from Eshera, just because he expressed his sympathy to Georgians. On the same day they raped Georgian teenagers and along with the Abkhaz militants committed atrocities in the village of Orjonikidze. Atrocities were committed by both sides with Abkhazians displaced from Georgian-held territory and vice-versa.
Fall of Gagra
On September 3, 1992, a ceasefire was negotiated in Moscow. According to the agreement, Georgian forces were obliged to withdraw from Gagra district. The Georgian side carried out the implementation of the agreement and they left the positions. As the result local population remained defenceless. The ceasefire was soon violated by Abkhaz. Thousands of volunteer paramilitaries, mainly Chechens and Cossacks from the militarized Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus (CMPC) joined the Abkhaz separatists to fight the Georgian government. Abkhaz and CMPC forces attacked the town of Gagra on October 2. Abkhaz, Russian and CMPC joint troops attacked Gagra by overwhelming numbers of tanks and aviation. Russian navy started to block the seawater area near Gagra. The military vessels: SKP "Bezukoriznenniy", "KIL-25", "BTH-38", "BM-66", "Golovin", Landing 345, aviation 529 (SU-25, SU-27), MI- and anti-aircraft 643 regiments commanded by the first deputy Minister of Defense of Russian Federation G. Kolesnikov took part in the occupation of Gagra. Russian tanker "Don" delivered 420 tons of fuel to Separatist-held Gudauta.
With the fall of the town, the majority of the Georgian population was expelled, with many executed. The rebels largely supported by Russian military presence in the region established their control over Gagra, Gudauta (the town where a former Soviet/Russian military base remains), Tkvarcheli and approached Sukhumi.
Abkhaz offensive on Eshera, Shroma and Gulripshi
On September 5 Abkhaz formations occupied the new positions near Eshera. Georgian residents of Kvemo Eshera were rounded up and executed. On October 3 Abkhaz and CMPC attacked the positions of Dvurechia on the Gumista River to the direction of the villages Kamani and Shroma. Georgian forces managed to repell the attack. The Third Brigade of Georgian National Guard destroyed the heavy artillery and overwhelmed the CMPC. On October 18 The President of Caucasus Peoples' Confederation, Musa Shanibov arrived in Gudauta and established Strategic Headquarter of the Confederation.
Russian role during the conflict
During the conflict, Moscow officially maintained neutrality; the Russian government condemned human rights violations and established sanctions against both sides. However, Russian forces situated in the conflict zone from the beginning provided unofficial support for the Abkhaz formations. Numerous eyewitness accounts testify to the bombardment of Georgian forces by Russian aircraft and the use of the Russian navy to transport Abkhaz fighters. Official statements by the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that Russian forces were only acting in self-defence and were only returning fire when attacked.
Parliament of Georgia sent the appeal to the United Nations, European Parliament and Supreme Council of the Russian Federation. Declaration defined Russia's decisive role in March 14 assault. Parliament demanded withdrawal of Russian forces from the territory of Abkhazia. Georgian government clearly stated that Russia was conducting “an undeclared war” against Georgia. The statement was strengthened by capturing of several Russian officers by Georgian forces. On March 19, Georgian forces shot down a Russian aircraft SU-27 and capturing the dead body of the Russian pilot.
On April 27, Georgian Parliament adopted another resolution which openly blamed Russia in political facilitation of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Georgians. Relevant appeal had been sent to United Nations and other international organizations that defined Russia's behaviour as aggression against Georgia and a violation of its independence and territorial integrity: "Encouraged by Russian military forces, the separatists took control over the part of Georgian territory – Abkhazia, conducting ethnic cleansing that takes a character of genocide of Georgians and other nationalities in the territory". Meanwhile Russian military helicopters delivered "surface to surface" missiles and submachine guns to Tkvarcheli where separatists were intrenched.
Bombing and siege of Sukhumi
In December 1992, rebels began shelling of Georgian-held Sukhumi. On March 4, 1993, Eduard Shevardnadze, head of the State Council of Georgia, arrived in the capital of the region to take control over the defensive operations in the city. The Minister of Economy, Beslan Kobakhia, arrived in Sukhumi during the negotiations with Goga Khaindrava. Kobakhia declared that separatist leader Ardzinba would resign if Shevardnadze would do the same. He did not approve the facts of vandalism in Gagra and noted that Abkhazia officially never declared the aim to secede from Georgia. Now as Commander–in chief of Georgian Military Forces Eduard Shevardnadze issued an order "Measures on defense of Sukhumi and Ochamchire Regions" that states: "Military formations of different countries are concentrating in Gudauta and Gumista area. We have an information that those forces have serious aim to seize Sukhumi and bring the chaos and turmoil in entire Georgia." On February 10 Shevardnadze appointed Guram Gabiskiria as Mayor of Sukhumi. Meanwhile, Georgian Parliament made an official declaration blaming Russia in aggression against Georgia and demanded withdrawal of all Russian military forces from the territory of Abkhazia. Eduard Shevardnadze arrived in Sukhumi on March 4 and led Sukhumi defense operations.
On March 14, 1993, At 6 and 9 o'clock in the morning Abkhaz and the Confederation forces launched a full-scale attack on Sukhumi resulting in large destruction and casualties among the civilians. At 2 o'clock in the morning Abkhaz side started artillery bombardments of Georgian positions at the Gumista River and Sukhumi. Later in the day several Russian SU-25 had been shelling Sukhumi till the morning of the next day. Russian special detachment led the operation followed by Abkhaz fighters and CMPC mercenaries. They crossed the river Gumista and took part of Achadara. However, the government forces repelled the attack.
On May 14, a short-lived ceasefire was signed. On July 2, a strong force of Abkhaz and North Caucasian mercenaries landed again with the strong support of Russian navy near the village Tamishi. The battle was one of the bloodiest in the war. Several hundreds were killed and wounded from all sides, but Georgian forces succeeded to regain the positions. In July Russian detachments, Abkhaz separatists and CMPC mercenaries captured the villages of Akhalsheni, Guma and Shroma of Sukhumi region. The fiercest struggle near the village Kamani took away the life of many Georgians, both military and civilian. Separatists occupied almost every strategic heights and practically besieged Sukhumi. However, Sukhumi was virtually besieged by the end of July. Soon after the Chairman of the Council of Defense of Abkhazia Tamaz Nadareishvili has resigned due to ill-health and the Member of Georgian Parliament Zhiuli Shartava took that post. Separatists brought down airplane after airplane (which were used to evacuate civilians from Sukhumi airport) with only civilians on the board.
Fall of Sukhumi
Russian-mediated ceasefire was again agreed in Sochi on July 27, and lasted until September 16, when separatist forces launched a large-scale offensive against Sukhumi, which fell after a fierce fighting on September 27. Shevardnadze appealed to Sukhumi population and by radio:
"Dear friends, Citizens of Sukhumi and Georgia! Georgia is facing the most difficult days, especially Sukhumi. Separatists and foreign invaders entered into city. I am proud of your courage… Separatists and adventurers will be judged by history... They do not want Georgians to live in this Georgian City. Many of them dreams to repeat the Gagra tragedy here... I know that you understand the challenge we are facing. I know how difficult the situation is. Many people left the city but you stay here for Sukhumi and for Georgia… I call you, citizens of Sukhumi, fighters, officers and generals: I understand the difficulties of standing on the positions now, but we have no right to step back, we all have to keep our places. We have to fortify the city and save Sukhumi. I would like to tell you that all of us – Government of Abkhazia, Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. Zhiuli Shartava, his colleagues, city and regional government of Sukhumi are prepared for action. The enemy witnesses our readiness, that's why he is fighting in the most brutal way and destructs our beloved Sukhumi. I call you to keep peace, tenacity and self-control. We have to meet the enemy in our streets as they deserve."
After the capture of the city one of the most horrific massacres of this war have been committed against the remaining and trapped Georgian civilians in the city. Almost all members of the Abkhaz government including Zhiuli Shartava, Guram Gabiskiria and Raul Eshba (those who refused to leave the city) were brutally massacred. Eduard Shevardnadze left the city narrowly escaping death. Soon Abkhaz forces and the Confederates overran the whole territory of Abkhazia, except small region of the Kodori Gorge (which more or less remains under the control of the Tbilisi government). The total defeat of government forces was followed by ethnic cleansing of Georgian population with all horrors of humanitarian catastrophe. More than 250.000 refugees (mainly Georgians, also Greeks and others) were forced out from Abkhazia. In September 1994, several reports indicated ethnic clashes between Abkhaz and Armenians, significant part of which supported the former during the war. Chechen militants of CMPC soon left Abkhazia to take part in the “Chechen Resistance War” against Russia.
Conflict mediation
During the war the peace mediation was done first by the Russian Federation and second by the UN. From 1993 onwards, the pressure for a peace settlement mounted from UN, Russia and the then Group of Friends of Georgia (Russia, U.S., France, Germany and UK). In December 1993, an official ceasefire was signed by Georgian and Abkhaz leaders under the aegis of the UN and with Russia as intermediary.The venues shifted from Geneva to New York and finally to Moscow. On April 4, 1994, the "Declaration on Measures for a Political Settlement of the Georgian-Abkhazian Conflict" was signed in Moscow. Instead of the deployment of a traditional UN peacekeeping force, the deployment of a CIS, mainly Russian peacekeeping force was agreed in Moscow on May 1994. In June 1994, CIS peacekeeping forces comprising only the Russian soldiers were deployed along the administrative border between Abkhazia and the remaining Georgia. The UN mission (UNOMIG) also arrived. However, these could not prevent further atrocities against the Georgians in the following years (around 1.500 deaths have been reported by the Georgian government in the post-war period). On September 14, 1994, Abkhaz leaders appeared on local TV to demand that all ethnic Georgians depart from the region by September 27 (the anniversary of the capture of Sokhumi). On November 30, 1994, Abkhazia promulgated a new constitution declaring independence of the breakaway region. However, none of the foreign governments recognized this. On December 15, 1994, the US State Department condemned Abkhazia’s declaration of independence. On March 21, 1995, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees accused Abkhaz militias of torturing and murdering dozens of returning ethnic Georgian refugees in the Gali District. Despite an official economic blockade imposed on Abkhazia by Russia and CIS in 1995 (virtually ended by the Russian government in 1997), the breakaway region has been enjoying both military and economic support by the Russian Federation.
Resumption of hostilities
In April–May, 1998, the conflict escalated once again in the Gali District when several hundreds of Abkhaz forces entered the villages still populated by Georgians support the separatist-held parliamentary elections. Despite the criticism from opposition, Eduard Shevardnadze, President of Georgia, refused to deploy troops against Abkhazia. A ceasefire was negotiated on May 20. The hostilities resulted in hundreds of casualties form both sides and additional 20.000 Georgian refugees.
In October 2001, around 400 Chechen fighters and 80 Georgian guerillas appeared in the Kodori Valley in extremely controversial conditions. The Chechen-Georgian paramilitaries advanced as far as Sokhumi, but finally were repelled by Abkhaz and Gudauta based Russian "peacekeeper" units. There have been some concerns (in both Tbilisi and Sokhumi) that Chechen attacks in the Kodori Gorge were a military escapade organized by certain Georgian authorities.
Current status
The conflict, one of the bloodiest in the post-Soviet area, remains unresolved. The Georgian government offered a large autonomy to Abkhazia several times. However, both Abkhaz government and opposition refuse any forms of union with Georgia. Abkhaz consider their independence as a result of liberation war against Georgian aggression, while Georgians believe the conflict to be a patriotic war to retain sovereignty and integrity of Georgia. Many accuse Eduard Shevardnadze’s government in initiation of a senseless hostilities, and then in ineffective conduction of the war and post-war diplomacy.
The new Georgian government of President Mikhail Saakashvili promises not to use force and to resolve the problem only by diplomacy and political talks.
While at a summit of CIS it was decided to exclude any contacts with separatists, the trans-border economical cooperation an transport between Abkhazia and Russia grows in scale, with Russia claiming that all this is a matter of private business, rather than state. Georgia also decries the unlimited issuing of Russian passports in Abkhazia with subsequent payment of retirement pensions and other monetary benefits by Russia, which Georgia considers to be economical suport of separatists by Russian government.
Timeline
- 1989, Interethnic tension
- July 15–July 17, 1989 first armed clashes between the representatives of the Abkhazian and Georgian
- December 1991 – January 1992, ethnic violence in former South Ossetia Autonomous Oblast and military confrontation after coup d’etat in Tbilisi
- June 1992, Abkhaz separatists attacked the government buildings in Sukhumi
- July 23, 1992, separatist members of the Abkhazian government declared independence of the region, no international recognition followed. Anti-governmental diversions made by several so-called “Zviadist” armed groups in Abkhazia.
- August 14, 1992, Georgian police and National Guards units dispatched to protect railways and restore an order in Abkhazia. The fights broke out.
- August 18, 1992, a secessionist government left Sukhumi. Georgian government forces managed to take control of most of Abkhazia.
- September 3, 1992, a ceasefire was negotiated in Moscow
- October 2 Abkhaz and CMPC forces attacked the town of Gagra. With the fell of the town, the majority of the Georgian population was either executed, or expelled.
- December 1992, rebels began shelling of Georgian-held Sukhumi.
- March 4, 1993, Eduard Shevardnadze, arrived in the capital of the region to take control over the defensive operations in the city.
- March 14, 1993, Abkhaz and the Confederation forces launched a full-scale attack on Sukhumi resulting in large destruction and casualties among the civilians.
- March 19, 1993, Georgian forces shot down a Russian aircraft SU-27.
- May 14, 1993, ceasefire was signed, shortlived
- July 2, one of the bloodiest in the war fought near the village Tamishi.
- July 27, 1993 Russian-mediated ceasefire was again agreed in Sochi
- September 16, ceasefire violated when separatist forces launched a large-scale offensive against Sokhumi,
- September 27, fall of Sukhumi after fierce fighting
Notes
- Annex to the Report of the UN Secretary General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia; Proposals for political and legal elements for a comprehensive settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict
- Chervonnaia, Svetlana Mikhailovna. Conflict in the Caucasus: Georgia, Abkhazia, and the Russian Shadow. Gothic Image Publications, 1994
- Full Report by Human Rights Watch Helsinki, March 1995, page 23
- Decree issued by the Parliament of Georgia on the Presence of Russian Military Units on the Territory of Abkhazia. 25 February 1993.
- Decree issued by the Parliament of Georgia on withdrawal of Russian Military Units from the Conflict Zone in Abkhazia, 27 April 1993
- UN observers report DL47596, December 1993, New York
- Report by Human Rights Watch Helsinki, March 1995
- Chervonnaia, Svetlana Mikhailovna. Conflict in the Caucasus: Georgia, Abkhazia, and the Russian Shadow. Gothic Image Publications, 1994
- U.S. State Department, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993, February 1994, pp. 877, 881.
See also
Bibliography
- Chervonnaia, Svetlana Mikhailovna. Conflict in the Caucasus: Georgia, Abkhazia, and the Russian Shadow. Gothic Image Publications, 1994.
- Andersen, Andrew. "Russia Versus Georgia: One Undeclared War in the Caucasus." Published October 2001.
- Lynch, Dov. The Conflict in Abkhazia: Dilemmas in Russian 'Peacekeeping' Policy. Royal Institute of International Affairs, February 1998.
- Marshania L. Tragedy of Abkhazia Moscow, 1996
- White Book of Abkhazia. 1992-1993 Documents, Materials, Evidences. Moscow, 1993.
- Heathe Blair. Ethnic Conflict as a Tool of Outside Influence: An Examination of Abkhazia and Kosovo. Yett Publishing, 2001
- Amy McCallion, Abkhazian Separatism, New York, 1999
External links
- Documented accounts of ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia (Russian)
- "Abkhazia: An Open Wound in Georgia" by Dr. Andrew Andersen
- Government of Abkhazia (-in-exile)
- Exile Images - Thomas Morley: The forgotten refugees of Abkhazia
- http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_282.shtml#top
- http://www.geocities.com/tato_nikoladze/separatism.html
- http://www.abkhazia-georgia.parliament.ge
- http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/mar/data/gabkhazchro.htm
- Exile Images - Thomas Morley: The forgotten refugees of Abkhazia