Abkhazia Sets Up In-Depth Defense In Southern Kodor Gorge

The Abkhaz military "are taking all steps to prevent arrival of Georgian interior units as help to militants blocked in the south of the Kodor Gorge," said Major Matbei Zantaria by telephone Sunday. He is a public relations officer of the Defense Ministry of the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia. "Work is under way to organise in-depth defense in this region," he said. The Abkhazian Defense Ministry spokesman also reported that, according to the Abkhaz military, up to 700 servicemen of the Georgian Interior Ministry have been concentrated near the populated places of Azhara and Kvabchara. According to operational information, they want to repair a bridge near the Lata village on Sunday and ensure passage for the heavy armour to the southern Kodor Gorge to help the bandit formations which have been blocked there. He also said that armed clashes continued throughout last night between units of the Abkhaz armed forces and militants blocked in the Sugar Cone zone in the Kodor Gorge. Militants are trying to break out of the entire perimeter of the encirclement, he said. Simultaneously, small terrorist groups are still active, attacking and ambushing Abkhaz units.