Exploring the Complexities of the Ossetian War

Article and photos by Jonathan Alpeyrie.

Throughout the 20th and now the 21st century, the political situation in the South Caucasus has never been an easy problem to solve. Russia's interests in the region, contrary to popular belief, are still strong. The Russians still have military bases in Abkhazia Georgia, in Armenia, and some troops in Azerbaijan, while more than 70,000 soldiers have been injected into Chechnya to tame the rebels, with an extra 50,000 men and 350 tanks on the northern border of Georgia, and 1,500 men in South Ossetia. With such forces spread out all over the region, it is pretty clear that Putin's economic and military ambitions in the Caucasus are to maintain a forceful foothold. Now, the question is, why?

The answer is two fold. The Russians think they cannot afford to give independence to anybody who wishes it, as its territorial integrity depends on it. For instance in Tartarstan, if the more than 18 million Muslims sitting on Russia's largest oil reserve in central Russia asked for certain demands, it might create an independence movement through out the country. Putin and his government can ill afford such conduct if they want to keep a unified Russia. The other possible answer is more historical and political. Perhaps Russia is still a country attached to its more glorious communist times, when the Soviets controlled more diverse nations and natural resources than any other country in the world. This nostalgia can explain the Putin government's tough policies concerning its neighbors who were once part of the Soviet block.

South Ossetia, truly the Southern extension of North Ossetia, where the horrible events in Beslan took place, is just one piece of the puzzle in Russia's military policy overhaul towards the South Caucasus. This rather small region is populated by no more than 70,000, of which 30% are Georgian and the rest are Ossetians. They are trapped between high hills to the East and West and the impassable Caucasus Mountains in the North separating Russia from Georgia. Since August, fighting has been on and off the region creating a potentially explosive situation where Ossetian separatists and Cossacks mercenaries from the Don River, aided by the Russian troops and advisers, have been battling Georgian soldiers situated both inside South Ossetia and outside in Georgia. The military situation is complicated and riddled with small offensives, firefights, and sometimes bombardments; civilian and military casualties are light but continuous.

The hills surrounding the Ossetian Valley are populated by hundreds of Ossetian and Cossack soldiers supported by heavy artillery and tanks, all living in trenches overlooking the entire valley which constitute most of the habitable portion of South Ossetia. Only one paved road exists in the region on a North/South axis, from the Southern border with Georgia first passing through the capital of Ossetia, Tskinvali, then six Georgian villages where 10,000 people live. Of these six villages, Tamaracheni, the most Southern of the villages, is the most exposed to Ossetian firing and RPG attacks. These villages are the very sources of the conflict, as the Ossetians want them back, with the use of force if necessary. In order to prevent such action, the Georgian government sent in its best battalion, the113th into the region, with one company inside Tamaracheni (about 150 men) to defend the Georgians living in the valley. The unit took positions in the villages, and on two surrounding hills to keep watch on their enemies. The Georgian soldiers in the battalion, all trained and equipped by the US army, are very active. Every day patrols deep inside Ossetian territory over the hills are organized to retake positions or to spy on new enemy positions. Snipers are also sent in the surrounding hills to hunt down Ossetian soldiers or bring back intelligence to the company's headquarter in Tamaracheni. Their superior training and equipment make the Georgian battalion in the conflict zone a most formidable opponent. During the heavy fighting in mid-August, the Ossetians tried to retake one of the Eastern hills and its forest which overlooks Tamaracheni. More than 400 on the Ossetian/Cossack side were killed, while the Georgian lost 16 men and had 125 wounded but managed to stop their offensive.

Today the overhaul situation in South Ossetia remains explosive. The 1,500 Russian "peace keepers" were put in place supposedly to maintain order and peace. However, the reality of the situation in the region is far from what the Russians want the international community to know. Officially, no Russian help or soldiers are aiding the Ossetian cause. They do not supply them with weapons, training, night vision technology, or even troop reinforcement in the form of mercenaries fighting for money. Of course, none of this is true. The Russians have supplied the Ossetians with tanks, two combat helicopters, and hundreds of Cossacks mercenaries paid one hundred dollars a day, with extra pay of 200 dollars if they kill a Georgian, and one thousand if they blow up a tank. These mercenaries are known for their brutality and lack of self-conduct on civilian turf.

It is hard to say what the future holds for the people and soldiers living inside the South Ossetian region. However, it is safe to say that the situation will remain dangerous at least until the end of the year, as none of the opposing parties are ready to concede any terrain. The Russians are also far from sponsoring peace, and wish to see an independent Ossetian state, which could be attached to Russia once again. Heavy propaganda work has influenced the Ossetians over the past ten years in such a way that now most would rather be part of a nation which certainly does not care for them, than a small nation with western aspiration lead by a young and energetic Georgian president like Mikhail Saakashvili. For years the Russians have told the freedom fighters that Georgia was responsible for their demise and economic struggles, while giving free electricity and heat to the Ossetians to show Russia's good intentions. Of course the reality of Russia's politics is far from what the Ossetians might think. Russian leaders working for Putin dream to see a strong Russia in the South Caucasus.

The Ossetians are wrong to seek such separation. The Georgian government is willing to concede some political independence as it did in Ajaria in March 2004, while keeping the territorial integrity of the country. To follow Georgia and its will to change into a more modern and western society would mean a more profitable and stable situation for Ossetia in the long run. The answer for Georgia and the separatist regions can be found in a system born out of federalism, where all ethnic groups would have a say in Georgia's future while keeping its cultural and ethnic particularities. However, such utopia will not convince most Ossetians or Abkhazians who wish to remain independent or part of Russia. The struggle for Ossetia is far from over and future clashes and deaths among civilians as well as military are likely to remain until one side has lost the war, or if Russia decides to do the right thing by telling the Ossetians to lay down their arms and find a peaceful solution.


Webmaster's note:
It is a pleasure to highlight the work of Jonathan Alpeyrie, a renown photojournalist with a great deal of experience in emerging markets. World Investment News therefore supports his work, even if the opinion of this report does not necessarily reflect the opinion of its management.