Georgian national flags are flying at half-mast today on all government buildings across the country to commemorate the eleventh anniversary of the most tragic day in the recent history of the country – the five-day war between Russia and Georgia in 2008.
The state flag on the Orbeliani Presidential Palace has been lowered to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the August 2008 war. According to @ModGovGe, 164 died fighting for their country and 5 remain missing. pic.twitter.com/3an1ebaqgA
— Orbeliani Presidential Palace (@GeorgiaPres) August 7, 2019
Peaceful anti-occupation rallies continue on central Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building today – demonstrators released 412 balloons into the sky in remembrance of those who died during the five-day war in 2008.
The physical confrontation between the Georgian army and Ossetian separatists reinforced by Russian soldiers started on August 8, 2008. However, developments started on the evening of August 7.
The five-day armed conflict claimed the lives of 228 Georgian civilians, 170 soldiers and 14 police officers.
192,000 people had to leave their houses during the war. Most of them returned to their homes after the war but more than 20,000 still remain displaced.