South Ossetia accuses Georgia of conflict escalation

According to the statement of law enforcement bodies of South Ossetia, Georgia continues its "provocative actions" aimed towards further escalation of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, and has increased number of illegally deployed posts (check points) in the conflict zone.

"Now, the situation looks more or less stable, but it's not the case. The Georgian party continues bringing its troops closer to the borders of the Republic of South Ossetia, including heavy armoured machines used for shelling our dwelling settlements," Mikhail Mindzaev, Minister of Internal Affairs of South Ossetia, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The Minister has added that the Georgian party occupied strategically important heights, which earlier, according to the agreements attained within the Mixed Control Commission (MCC) for settling the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, have been abandoned by the law enforcement units of South Ossetia.

Residents of Tskhinval are frightened by the recent events and get ready to possible outbursts of armed confrontation; they clear the cellars of their houses for sheltering there in case of new bombardments.

The law enforcement bodies of the Republic continue their service in the reinforced regime.