Shelling Reported in South Ossetia
The Georgian side accused the authorities in its breakaway South Ossetia of opening fire on Georgian villages in the troubled region overnight on July 30.
Georgian officials say that the South Ossetian side used automatic weapons and grenade launchers; however, no casualties were reported.
The conflicting sides exchanged mutual accusations over a fire-fight that occurred on on July 29 as well. The South Ossetian side accused the Georgian side of shelling districts in the capital Tskhinvali on July 28.
Russian media sources quoted Irina Gagloeva, a spokesperson of the breakaway South Ossetian government, as saying that two civilians were wounded in Tskhinvali. But the Georgian side denies opening fire on Tskhinvali.
De facto President of South Ossetia told Interfax news agency on July 29 that he has ordered ?to suppress enemy fire.?
However, the OSCE Mission to Georgia confirmed that the Georgian village of Tamarasheni near Tskhinvali was attacked. The Mission reported on July 28 that the incident marked ?a substantial increase in the duration and ferocity of fire, including the use of under-barrel grenades.?
Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze told reporters upon his return from Israel on July 30 that the Georgian police forces stationed in the conflict zone are able to protect Georgian villages in the breakaway region.
?The Defense Ministry has no troops in the conflict zone. There are only the police forces, but in case it becomes a necessity, the Defense Ministry is ready to take adequate measures,? Giorgi Baramidze said.
