01 August 2008, 23:52
Six persons killed in the course of shelling in South Ossetia
Six persons were killed in the course of shelling of South Ossetia settlements on the night of August 1, and seven people more were wounded. Tskhinval, South Ossetia capital, and several settlements were subjected to shelling from the Georgian villages of Ergneti and Nikozi.
In response, South Ossetia opened fire on the Georgian strongholds from which Tskhinval was shelled, reports the State Committee on Information and Press of South Ossetia.
"The mortar platoon of the Georgian Ministry of Defense is engaged in a purposeful shelling of the southern part of Tskhinval. Northern borders are shelled, too. The South Ossetia party has opened a response fire on the strongholds", runs the statement placed on the State Committee official site.
Eduard Kokoity, president of South Ossetia, states that the response of Tskhinval to Tbilisi aggressive actions is going to be very strong. According to him, South Ossetia "is forced to respond and protect itself".
"We reserve the right to attack Georgian towns, we have the facilities to reach them", stressed Kokoity as cited by "Interfax".
Ibrahim Gasseyev, South Ossetia deputy Minister of Defense and Emergency, also spoke about adequate response in case of continued provocations of Georgia. He stated that the South Ossetia armed forces were in the state of combat readiness.
In its turn, the Georgian party claims that it was forced to open fire in response.
