Abkhaz Side Refutes Georgian Allegations About Fighting In Sukhumi And Gagry

The Abkhaz side refutes allegations from Tbilisi about street fighting in Sukhumi and Gagry. According to official of the permanent mission of Abkhazia (a self-proclaimed republic within Georgia) in Moscow Tatyana Guliya, "this is disinformation." In her words, the Tbilisi television aired Monday "old footages of fighting in Gagry and Sukhumi, which were shot in 1992." The Abkhaz side claims that the situation in these cities is stable, no local residents or tourists are leaving them. Tatyana Guliya also said that the militants blocked in the Kodor gorge, are retreating in the mountains higher the Amtkel lake. The Abkhaz military report that on Tuesday morning they used helicopters to deliver missile and bomb strikes on the militants' positions. Up to 200 militants are currently blocked in the vicinity of the Sakharnaya Golova mountain. According to the data of the Abkhaz military, they are trying to split up into small groups and break out from the pocket. Last night, several groups of terrorists managed to infiltrate through the Abkhaz lines and escape higher to the mountains in the direction of Karachayevo-Cherkessia. Abkhaz troops are pursuing them.