Georgia artillery open fire killing 15 people as fear of Russian intervention mounts

Breaking news: Russian tanks on the move Update #1. See spectacular footage courtesy of the BBC, of a rocket barrage: Update #2. USA warns Russia “The Russian Federation is convening an emergency public meeting of the Security Council tonight at 11pm (1300 AEST today) to consider the aggressive actions of Georgia against South Ossetia, an internationally recognized party to the conflict,” a statement from the Russian mission to the UN said. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed serious concern about the mounting violence in South Ossetia, Georgia, where nearly two dozen people have reportedly been wounded or killed in recent clashes. Pro-Western Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvill said he was prepared to enter into talks to avoid further bloodshed. "I beg you [South Ossetians] to cease fire immediately. We have no wish to wage war against you. Don't try the patience of our country. Let's stop this escalation and start talks - direct, multilateral, any kind of talks," Saakashvili said in a televised address. South Ossetia and another Georgian republic, Abkhazia, broke away from Georgia following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, gaining de facto independence after bloody conflicts with Georgia. Georgia has pledged to bring the two tiny republics back under central control and has accused Russia of trying to annex the regions. NATO and the EU Council of Ministers have called on all the sides in the conflict to avoid the use of force, to calm tensions, and seek a peaceful solution through negotiations. Just hours after the announcement of the planned UN Security Council, South Ossetia fighters opened fire on two villages in Georgia, resulting in retaliatory fire from Georgian Military Forces. In the shadow of the attacks, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Russia, Grigory Karasin condemened Georgian actions as military preparations. The Georgian government said in a statement after midnight that “hundreds” of fighters and military hardware had entered into the breakaway South Ossetia from the Russian Federation via the Roki Tunnel, which connects Russian North Ossetia to the breakaway South Ossetia. To further increase tensions, Abkhaz Forces have just begun moving troops and equipment to the border with Georgia. According to Interfax News Agency,

“At 6am on August 8 Abkhaz forces, including artillery systems and multiple rocket launchers started heading from Ochamchire district to the administrative border at the Enguri river”

There have been no confirmed reports of Russian troop movements.