Fall of Sukhumi
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[edit] Fall of Sukhumi
During the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, a Russian-mediated ceasefire was agreed in Sochi on July 27 1993, and lasted until September 16, when separatist forces launched a large-scale offensive against Sukhumi, which fell after a fierce fighting on September 27. Shevardnadze appealed to Sukhumi population and by radio:
"Dear friends, Citizens of Sukhumi and Georgia! Georgia is facing the most difficult days, especially Sukhumi. Separatists and foreign invaders entered into city. I am proud of your courage… Separatists and adventurers will be judged by history... They do not want Georgians to live in this Georgian City. Many of them dreams to repeat the Gagra tragedy here... I know that you understand the challenge we are facing. I know how difficult the situation is. Many people left the city but you stay here for Sukhumi and for Georgia… I call you, citizens of Sukhumi, fighters, officers and generals: I understand the difficulties of standing on the positions now, but we have no right to step back, we all have to keep our places. We have to fortify the city and save Sukhumi. I would like to tell you that all of us – Government of Abkhazia, Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. Zhiuli Shartava, his colleagues, city and regional government of Sukhumi are prepared for action. The enemy witnesses our readiness, that's why he is fighting in the most brutal way and destructs our beloved Sukhumi. I call you to keep peace, tenacity and self-control. We have to meet the enemy in our streets as they deserve."
After the capture of the city one of the most horrific massacres of this war have been committed against the remaining and trapped Georgian civilians in the city.[1] Almost all members of the Abkhaz government including Zhiuli Shartava, Guram Gabiskiria and Raul Eshba (those who refused to leave the city) were brutally massacred. [2] Eduard Shevardnadze left the city narrowly escaping death. Soon Abkhaz forces and the Confederates overran the whole territory of Abkhazia, except small region of the Kodori Gorge (which more or less remains under the control of the Tbilisi government). The total defeat of government forces was followed by ethnic cleansing of Georgian population with all horrors of humanitarian catastrophe.[3] More than 250.000 refugees (mainly Georgians, also Greeks and others) were forced out from Abkhazia. In September 1994, several reports indicated ethnic clashes between Abkhaz and Armenians, significant part of which supported the former during the war. Chechen militants of CMPC soon left Abkhazia to take part in the “Chechen Resistance War” against Russia.
