I’m not too familiar with the history of South Ossetia. I don’t know too much about Georgia either. What’s very clear is that the current conflict in South Ossetia could easily explode into a larger problem, drawing in neighbors.
TBLISI, Georgia (CNN) — Russian television Friday showed a convoy of Russian tanks and said they were heading into the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia as escalating tensions over the region threatened to boil into full blown conflict.
Russia’s Channel 1 shows heavy tanks purported to be on their way to South Ossetia.
1 of 3The move came after Russia denounced as “aggressive” a Georgian troops military offensive to regain control over the province, vowing to respond.
Russian authorities earlier said several of its peacekeepers died in a Georgian attack in South Ossetia, which borders Russia and has strong ties to its vast northern neighbor, and they vowed not to leave Russian citizens in the territory unprotected.
“The Georgian leadership has launched a dirty adventure,” a statement from Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Friday. “We will not leave our peacekeepers and Russian citizens unprotected.”
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Georgia started the fighting and warned that Russia would respond to their actions.
I had a lot of contact with Georgian soldiers in Baghdad’s Green Zone during my stay from 2005-2006. Not sure how good they are as fighters, but they didn’t seem too phased during the frequent mortar attacks. Russia has a hell of a lot more troops.
South Ossetia is another Kosovo in the works. 98-99% of Ossetians want independence if you believe the results of their referendum. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality of the world. Independence for South Ossetia is no more likely than say, Vermont seceding from the United States. Either Georgia or Russia will dominate the territory for the foreseeable future.