Georgian civilians return to Kodor Gorge

Sukhum/Agency Caucasus – The Georgian civilians have begun to return home after they fled Upper Kodor because of the war in the Caucasus.  As many as 100 Georgians have already returned to their homes in Ajara, Kuabchara and Chalta, said Garri Kupalba, Deputy Foreign Minister of Abkhazia.

The majority of those who managed to return home consists of the women, children and elders, said Kupalba, and added that they had to hide in forests because they could not get to Georgia.     

“The men are afraid to return for now. It is not only the Abkhaz administration that they are afraid of; they fear the Georgians more,” said Kupalba.

The Abkhaz troops regained control over Upper Kodor during the recent war in the Caucasus. Therefore, they nowadays maintain security over there, help the Georgians who returned home find a place to stay in, food to cook and eat, and meet their other urgent needs, said Kupalba. “Officials of the Abkhaz Bread Factory visited Kodor Gorge. They are making efforts to supply bread to the local people here. Also, efforts have already begun to repair the roads in Lower Kodor.”  

The Abkhaz army moved to Ministry of Defence storages the lot of arms that the Georgian troops left behind when they fled from Kodor Gorge.

KU/ÖZ/FT