2008 Achamkhara incident

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=2008 Achamkhara incident
partof=Georgian-Abkhazian conflict


caption=
date=July 9, 2008
place=Mount Achamkhara, Gulripsh district, Abkhazia
casus=
territory=
result=Aggravation of tensions
combatant1=
combatant2=
commander1=
commander2=
strength1=
strength2=~10 soldiers (Abkhazian claims)
casualties1=2 wounded (Abkhazian claims)
4 dead (Georgian claims)
casualties2=3 wounded (Georgian claims)
notes=

The 2008 Achamkhara incident refers to the armed confrontation, that took place on July 9 2008, on the flanks of Mount Achamkhara in the internationally unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia, between Abkhazian and Georgian troops.

Background

At the time of the incident, Mount Achamkhara was located near the de facto border between the self-declared Republic of Abkhazia and the formerly Georgian-controlled Upper Abkhazia.

The incident

The claims of both sides are different, with conflicting versions of the events and there isn't any independent confirmation, on what took place.cite web
url=http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N08/427/22/PDF/N0842722.pdf
title=Report of the Secretary-General on the situation inAbkhazia, Georgia
publisher=Security Council
date=2008-07-23
accessdate = 2008-08-22]

The Abkhazian view

Abkhazia claims, that at 9:25 a.m., its security post on Mount Achamkhara was raided by around 10 Georgian attackers, using automatic weapons and grenade launchers. Two of its reservists were injured and had to be hospitalised.cite web
url=http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/president/press/news/detail.php?ID=11026
title=Минобороны Абхазии обратилось к командованию миротворческих сил и Миссии ООН с просьбой расследовать инцидент в Кодорском ущелье
publisher=Администрация Президента Республики Абхазия
date=2008-07-10
accessdate = 2008-08-22] cite web
url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=18737
title=Skirmish in Kodori
publisher=Civil Georgia
date=2008-07-09
accessdate = 2008-08-22]

The Georgian view

Georgia claims, that its policemen were attacked by Abkhazian troops, while they were securing the Achamkhara heights in anticipation of a UNOMIG visit to the Kvabchara valley. It further claims, that 3 of its police officers were injured and they in turn had killed 4 Abkhazian assailants.

UNOMIG investigation

Both sides appealed to the UNOMIG, with the wish to investigate the incident, which was started on June 10. It hasn't revealed anything yet.

References