South Ossetia closes border with Georgia

Южная Осетия закрыла границу с Грузией

Early this morning, South Ossetia closed its border with Georgia. The Leader of the republic, Eduard Kokoity, explained that the move was necessary as provocations from Tbilisi have increased in the last few days.

Patrols have been reinforced, as has the 4th Russian Military Base, which is deployed in South Ossetia. Members of the Air Force and the Air Defense of the Northern Caucasus Military District have been placed on high alert.

According to the Ministry of Defense, "the Russian armed forces will stop any possible agression from Tbilisi in its infancy."

South Ossetia might ask Russia to establish military base on its territory

Южная Осетия может попросить Россию оставить военную базу на ее территории

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity stated on August 18th that the republic might ask Russia to establish a permanent military base on its territory.

He emphasized that based on Georgian statements saying that after the withdrawal of the Russian and Georgian armies, Abkhazia and South Ossetia will be returned to Georgia, a military base is necessary in order to prevent a new genocide of the Ossetian people.

On August 18th, in accordance with the ceasefire, the withdrawal of divisions of the 58th Russian army from South Ossetia began.

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South Ossetian government dissolved

Правительство Южной Осетии отправлено в отставку

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity has dissolved the government of South Ossetia. The story was broken by news channel "Vesti." The president stated that he had signed a number of decrees, including a declaration of a state of emergency.

Last night, Kokoity criticized the South Ossetian ministers, blaming them for negligence. He harshly criticized the government for delaying the delivery of humanitarian aid and for inefficiency. According to Kokoity, the current paralyzed state of the government and its inability to provide any services has forced him to "take very drastic measures." The government should work in unison with those forces which are operating in the republic, emphasized Kokoity, expressing his confidence that the new government would work effectively. "I want to create a government without intrigues; an official should work for the people, and not for his personal interests," concluded the head of South Ossetia.

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Shooting continues in Tskhinvali

В Цхинвали еще постреливают

Despite a ceasefire, shots can still be heard in Tskhinvali's southern suburbs bordering Georgia.

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity has called the shootings provocations by the Georgians. "Their aim is to draw a response from Russian soldiers, to provoke them, to show their Western patrons that Russia is not keeping its promise," he stated.

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