Battle of Sukhumi (1992)

Battle of Sukhumi (1992)
Part of War in Abkhazia (1992-1993)
Date August 14, 1992-August 18 Location Sukhumi, Abkhazia Result Georgian victory, Abkhaz separatist retreat to Gudauta
Belligerents
Georgian National Guard	Abkhaz separatists and local volunteers
Commanders and leaders
Tengiz Kitovani[1]
Strength
1000 est.	Unknown

The Battle of Sukhumi took place in 1992 between Abkhaz separatists and the Georgian National Guard. The battle marked the start of one of the bloodiest wars in Post-Soviet Georgia.

Background

In July 1992, Georgian officials were taken hostage by Pro-Gamsukhurdia (separatists) forces known as Zviadists in Mingrelia and later in the Gali Region. Several more were taken when Georgian officials attempted to negotiate with them.^[1] In response, Georgian police created assault units to help free the hostages. The Abkhaz Interior Ministry said that Georgian and Abkhaz Units would cooperate to help free the hostages. In August, a National Guard unit was deployed in Gali to help release the hostages and the hostages were freed by August 19 without full-scale combat.

Entering Sukhumi

However, the 1,000 man strong assault unit created by the police did not stop at Gali. They then launched an attack on the capital, Sukhumi to retake the city for Georgia. They took the city's airport, which was 25 kilometers from the city.^[1] A news blockade was imposed on journalists, and by noon they were forcibily entering Sukhumi. Georgian Tanks and APC's moved through the streets, battling Abkhaz militias who were armed with machine guns and formed barricades in the streets, while hurling Molotov cocktails as they lacked heavy anti-tank weapons.^[1] Georgian units used artillery against Abkhaz separatists in the places they controlled within the city.

Despite Abkhaz resistance, the Georgian units were heavily armed and took the city within a matter of days. On August 18, the Parliament of Abkhazia was stormed by the Georgian National Guard, and the Georgian flag was raised on the Council of Ministers buildings. All of Sukhumi was taken by August 18.^[1]

Casualties and Aftermath

19 people were killed and 39 severely injured.^[2] Georgian units were accused of looting, assault, murder and other ethnically based war crimes.^[1] Abkhaz separatits retreated to Guduata, and started to arm themselves for a counterattack.^[1][2]

References

1. "Georgia/Abkhazia: Violations of the Laws of War and Russia's Role in the Conflict: Acts of Lawlessness During the First Two Months of Fighting, August to September 1992". Human Rights Watch Reports. 7 (7). 1995. Archived from the original on 20 February 2001.
2. "Georgia: Violent events in Sukhumi and Tsalenjikha between April and August 1992; persons in charge of Georgian national security and law enforcement; roles of Colonels Kalandia and Maisuradze in Sukhumi and Tsalenjikha". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 16 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014.