22 years on from fall of Sokhumi in breakaway Abkhazia

Twenty-two years ago today, Georgians were forced to leave Sokhumi, the capital city of Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region.

Today Georgia is remembering those who died serving their homeland as the country marks 22 years since the fall of Sokhumi.

Cabinet members laid wreathes at the memorial of the heroes fallen in the fight for unity at Heroes Square in Tbilisi and expressed condolences to the victims' families.

"I believe now it’s time to restore the broken bridge between [Georgians and Abkhazians],” said Vice Prime Minister Kakha Kaladze.

Today 22 years have passed since the capital city of Georgia's breakaway region Abkhazia fell as a result of the war that lasted for 13 months and 13 days.

Armed conflict in Abkhazia began on August 14, 1992 when Georgia's Armed Forces, intending to defend the Sochi-Enguri section of the railway, were confronted by Abkhaz Gvardia [armed forces]. The Abkhazian militant group involved Russian soldiers and was created under the order of head of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia, Vladislav Ardzinba, near Okhurei Village in Ochamchire district.

In response, the State Council of Georgia decided to send the National Gvardia [another soldier unit controlled by Tbilisi] to Abkhazia to challenge the militant group.

This confrontation sparked the beginning of hostilities in Abkhazia.

On July 27, 1993 both sides agreed to the ‘Sochi Agreement on Ceasefire and Separation of Forces’ however about two months later, on September 16, 1993, the Abkhazian side violated the ceasefire deal and began an attack on Sokhumi.

The Abkhaz-Russian forces started their attack on the building of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia in the morning of September 27, 1993. They captured and killed Chairman Zhiuli Shartava, Sokhumi Mayor Guram Gabeskiria and 27 employees of the Council of Ministers.

On the same day Sokhumi collapsed and the Georgian Armed Forces lost the fight. This was the end of the war.

• Data collected by the Georgian side revealed in 1992-1993 more than 10,000 Georgian soldiers and civilians died in Abkhazia while 300,000 people became internally displaced. The Abkhaz side reported 3,500 Abkhazians died and 2,000 were wounded in the conflict.

The global community recognises Abkhazia as an integral part of Georgia, while Russia treats the breakaway region as an 'independent state' – a violation of international law.