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Shooting in South Ossetia conflict zone, casualties reported

04 July 2008 11:14 (UTC +04:00)

Tbilisiâ€“APA. Situation in the South Ossetia conflict zone has seriously aggravated. APA quotes News Georgia agency as saying that the separatist regimeâ€™s â€œPress and Information Committeeâ€ stated that Georgian side using basic weapons and mortar and grenade guns attacked from the three directions last night and attempted to seize strategic uplands. Three Ossetians reported dead and more than 10 wounded. Chief of the Peacekeeping Staff of the Georgian Defense Ministry Mamuka Kurashvili confirmed the fact of gunfire, but denied accusations by the South Ossetian side. He said the Georgian side took necessary retaliation measure. â€œThe gunfire began from the South Ossetian side at night and at 6.00 in the morning our post on the road between Great and Minor Liakhvi villages was attacked. We had to open retaliation fireâ€. He said the situation was strained, but under control in the conflict zone. South Ossetian separatist leader Edward Kokoyti said they would deploy heavy techniques in the conflict zone if the Georgian side didnâ€™t stop fire. â€œWe expect for Georgia to withdraw its troops. Otherwise we will send heavy techniques and offensive arms to the conflict zone to liquidate the military forces deployed there against the conformed agreementâ€. The separatists called for the general mobilization in the unrecognized republic.