A map of Georgia with data on the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Tensions boiled around Georgia's breakaway regions Thursday, as Tbilisi said Russia was massing troops in South Ossetia and rebels in Abkhazia accused Georgia of killing a senior army officer. (AFP/Graphic/Yann Le Bechec)Tensions Boil Around Georgia Rebel Regions -- AFP
TBILISI (AFP) — Tensions boiled around Georgia's breakaway regions Thursday, as Tbilisi said Russia was massing troops in South Ossetia and rebels in Abkhazia accused Georgia of killing a senior army officer.
Russia denied the troop build-up, accusing Georgia of having violated a ceasefire agreement by deploying special forces near the rebel regions.
The incidents underscored how high tensions remain after Russia and pro-Western Georgia fought a brief war over South Ossetia in August, sowing instability in the strategic Caucasus region.
Georgian Interior Ministry Spokesman Shota Utiashvili told AFP that Russia had deployed an additional 2,000 troops in South Ossetia and that Tbilisi was "deeply concerned" by the move.
"During the last two weeks, 2,000 additional Russian troops have been deployed in South Ossetia," he said. "The total number of Russian troops in South Ossetia is now up to 7,000."
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More News On The Tensions In Georgia's Rebel Regions
Georgia Says Russia Massing Troops in South Ossetia -- Voice Of America
Georgia, Russia accuse each other of dangerous troop movements -- CBC
Georgia Says Russia Has 7,000 Troops in South Ossetia -- Bloomberg
Georgia says Russia deploying troops in S.Ossetia -- Yahoo News/Reuters
U.S. declines to confirm Russian military buildup in South Ossetia -- China View