De-facto authorities of occupied Tskhinvali region close "border" with Georgia on anniversary of 2008 war

The de-facto authorities of Georgia's occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region have announced a temporary closing of the "border crossing" location between the region and the Georgian-controlled territory starting on Tuesday evening.

Announcing the move, the so-called Secutiy Committee of the region said the Ajameti checkpoint - the only point for crossing the administrative boundary line - would be closed at 8pm.

A view on the Ajameti checkpoint, the only point of crossing the administrative boundary line between Georgian-controlled territory and the occupied Tskhinvali region. Photo: Nika Lebadnize/agenda.ge.

The de-facto body said crossing would be suspended in relation to events held in the occupied region to "mark the 11th anniversary of the Georgian aggression", referring to five-day armed conflict between Russia and Georgia in the region in 2008.

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The "border" checkpoint is expected to be reopened early in the morning on Friday to let locals resume their commute between Tskhinvali and the Georgian-controlled territory.

The Ajameti crossing has been closed by the de-facto authorities a number of times in 2019 alone, with a 40-day closure taking place starting in January and another suspension following in June.