Russia Invades Georgia
Georgian tank after Russian attacks.
Russia has aggressively invaded the South Ossetia region of Georgia. Georgia’s President Mikhail Saakashvili publically announced that his country was under attack early Friday morning. In the short time the conflict has been going on, many civilians have been left dead and critically injured.
"All day today, they've been bombing Georgia from numerous warplanes,” said Saakashivili, “and specifically targeting civilian population, and we have scores of wounded and dead among civilian population all around the country."
The source of the conflict is said to be attacks made by Georgian forces against Russian peace keepers stationed in South Ossetia. Russian troops have been stationed in South Ossetia since 1992 to keep the peace after the separatist motion began several years ago. Many people in South Ossetia wish to break free from Georgia and become part of Russia. Tensions have been mounting in this region since 2006 when South Ossetia declared independence, however their claim was never recognized internationally. Georgia officials accuse the peace keepers of fueling the separatist movements and causing more conflicts than peace.
Russian representatives say the conflict goes beyond just attacks on Russian troops, but possible ethnic cleansing in the South Ossetia region. "We are receiving reports that a police of ethnic cleansing was being conducted in villages in South Ossetia, the number of refugees is climbing, the panic is growing, people are trying to save their lives,"Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin commented on the Georgian attacks against Russian peace keepers. He stated "It's all very sad and alarming,and of course, there will be a response."There certainly was a response, as Russian tanks and warplanes moved into Georgia this morning.
Whether or not this conflict constitutes as a war has not formally been declared yet. When Georgia’s President was asked if his country was at war, he replied "My country is in self-defense against Russian aggression. Russian troops invaded Georgia." However, a spokesman for Prime Minister Putin said "There are lots of volunteers being gathered in the region, and it's very hard to withhold them from taking part. A real war is going on.”
As of now, no other countries have become directly involved in the conflict. However, both Britain and the United States have sternly urged both sides to find a quick, immediate way to end the violence before more innocent people are harmed.
