Georgian PM marks anniversary of fall of capital of occupied Abkhazia as “one of the most tragic days” in country’s recent history

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said September 27, the date marking the 1993 fall of Sokhumi, the capital of the now-Russian-occupied north-western region of Abkhazia, during the 1992-1993 armed conflict, was “one of the most tragic days in the recent history” of the country.

Kobakhidze made the comment while laying a wreath at the Tbilisi Memorial of Heroes who have died in conflicts and on duty for unity of Georgia, which he visited along with Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and members of his Government.

"Today we will honour our heroes who sacrificed themselves for the country, the homeland and the idea of ​​a united Georgia. These heroes had a dream, it was a dream of a united Georgia, and I am sure that this dream will surely come true", the PM said.

Marking the 1993 date, which also symbolises the loss of control over the region for the then-Georgian Government in the conflict, the national flag is flying at half-mast at all government buildings across the country.

The armed conflict in Abkhazia began on August 14, 1992 by an entrance of Georgia’s armed forces into the region with the goal of defending a section of a strategically important railway in the region amid tensions between ethnic Abkhazians and Georgians, with the Government units confronted by Abkhaz paramilitary forces on contact.

The resulting year-long-conflict saw Russian material, tactical and operational support for Abkhaz forces, in addition to mercenary groups from the Caucasus republics of Russia also fighting against troops of the fledgling Georgian state.

The Georgian flag flying at half-mast at the administration building of the government of Georgia.

Sokhumi fell after the Abkhaz side violated a ceasefire agreement between the sides on July 27, 1993 and launched an assault on the city on September 16, after the Georgian side had withdrawn most of its defences as per the agreement.

On September 27, the attacking troops captured and killed Zhiuli Shartava, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia, as well as Sokhumi Mayor Guram Gabeskiria and 27 other Georgian officials of the executive body who had stayed in the offices of the regional Government in the city, with the event marking the fall of the capital. 

Flags at half-mast at the ministry of defence of Georgia, commemorating the tragic day.

Between 13,000 to 20,000 ethnic Georgians and approximately 3,000 Abkhaz have been reported killed during the conflict, which lasted for 13 months and 13 days. Over 250,000 Georgians fled the region and became internally displaced in the country, while more than 2,000 - including about 1,500 ethnic Georgians, up to 200 ethnic Abkhaz and about 100 ethnic Ossetians -  were declared missing.