Causes of 5 Day War in 2008
- Submitted by: arpone1960
- Views: 454
- Category: History: Russian
- Date Submitted: 03/07/2014 01:05 PM
- Pages: 5
- Report this Essay
Causes of Five Day War in 2008 History Essay
Introduction
In August of 2008, Georgia launched a full-scale military attack against South Ossetian region in an attempt to recover the lost territory. Georgia claimed they were responding to attacks on its peacekeepers in the villages of South Ossetia, and that Russia was advancing non-peacekeeping units in the territory. Russia Retaliated with an army and Airborne troops.
Russian side claims that these actions were necessary humanitarian intervention for peace enforcement. Russian, Ossetian and Abkhazian forces launched full scale assault on Georgian forces. After five days of heavy fighting, Georgian forces withdrew which allowed Russians to occupy the major Georgian cities. After the ceasefire, Russia pulled out its troops from Georgia while establishing major buffer zones around Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russian forces remain posted in Abkhazia and South Ossetia under bilateral arrangements with the breakaway regions. The five day war was a true test for Georgia. This showed the country that taking back the breakaway regions and returning the thousands of internally displaced Georgians to their homes had become almost impossible. This war has long term effects on Georgia-Russia relations.
In this paper I look into the enduring ethnic divisions within Georgia; not only with Abkhazia and South Ossetia but the historical divisions between the regions and how these divisions have contributed into a divided mentality in the country. The age old ethnic and territorial divisions, the fall of the Soviet Union and Russia’s constant interference in Georgia, will be researched as possible causes if continuous conflict between these groups. Russia’s interference before and during the Soviet Union will be mentioned, for it holds great influence when it comes down to the relationship these ethnic groups have, and the territorial disputes that came from it. The war during 1991-1992 between Georgia and South Ossetia will be...
Introduction
In August of 2008, Georgia launched a full-scale military attack against South Ossetian region in an attempt to recover the lost territory. Georgia claimed they were responding to attacks on its peacekeepers in the villages of South Ossetia, and that Russia was advancing non-peacekeeping units in the territory. Russia Retaliated with an army and Airborne troops.
Russian side claims that these actions were necessary humanitarian intervention for peace enforcement. Russian, Ossetian and Abkhazian forces launched full scale assault on Georgian forces. After five days of heavy fighting, Georgian forces withdrew which allowed Russians to occupy the major Georgian cities. After the ceasefire, Russia pulled out its troops from Georgia while establishing major buffer zones around Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russian forces remain posted in Abkhazia and South Ossetia under bilateral arrangements with the breakaway regions. The five day war was a true test for Georgia. This showed the country that taking back the breakaway regions and returning the thousands of internally displaced Georgians to their homes had become almost impossible. This war has long term effects on Georgia-Russia relations.
In this paper I look into the enduring ethnic divisions within Georgia; not only with Abkhazia and South Ossetia but the historical divisions between the regions and how these divisions have contributed into a divided mentality in the country. The age old ethnic and territorial divisions, the fall of the Soviet Union and Russia’s constant interference in Georgia, will be researched as possible causes if continuous conflict between these groups. Russia’s interference before and during the Soviet Union will be mentioned, for it holds great influence when it comes down to the relationship these ethnic groups have, and the territorial disputes that came from it. The war during 1991-1992 between Georgia and South Ossetia will be...