War and Conflict Journal

Warfare broke out again in the Caucusus region of the former Soviet Union, as Georgian government forces attacked the separatist region of South Ossetia with ground forces and warplanes. South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in a violent rebellion from 1991 to 1992. In 1992, a cease-fire was arranged which effectively established South Ossetian independence, with Russia siding with the Ossetian rebels. Clashes between Georgia and South Ossetia broke out over the past week, killing at least 20. That flare-up of violence stopped with a Russian-brokered cease-fire, but now is ended.

Georgia has continually vowed to bring South Ossetia back into the fold, and now appears to be backing up that rhetoric. Georgia, which is allied with the United States and is seeking membership in NATO, risks Russian intervention.

Links:

http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSL8718565._CH_.2400

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/3797729.stm