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South Ossetia evacuates children South Ossetia evacuates children
(10 minutes later)
The breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia says it is evacuating children to neighbouring Russia, amid renewed violence.The breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia says it is evacuating children to neighbouring Russia, amid renewed violence.
The authorities said they had started to put children on buses to take them out of the conflict zone, but it is not clear how many children have left.The authorities said they had started to put children on buses to take them out of the conflict zone, but it is not clear how many children have left.
Georgia said the decision was worrying, as it could be a sign the separatists were preparing for more violence.Georgia said the decision was worrying, as it could be a sign the separatists were preparing for more violence.
Six people were killed in violence on Friday night. Six people died on Friday when South Ossetia's capital came under fire.
The Russian-backed separatists and the Georgian authorities blamed on each other. The Russian-backed separatists and the Georgian authorities blamed each other for starting the fighting.
Tensions have risen in South Ossetia and Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia, after Russia announced it would establish official links with the separatists.Tensions have risen in South Ossetia and Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia, after Russia announced it would establish official links with the separatists.
Georgia's government says Russia is supporting and inciting the separatists to create instability as part of its attempts to stop Georgia joining Nato, says the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi.Georgia's government says Russia is supporting and inciting the separatists to create instability as part of its attempts to stop Georgia joining Nato, says the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi.
It also accuses Russia of acting to maintain the Kremlin's influence in this former Soviet region, our correspondent says.It also accuses Russia of acting to maintain the Kremlin's influence in this former Soviet region, our correspondent says.
'Full-scale war''Full-scale war'
The separatists said three of their militiamen were killed by Georgian sniper fire and three civilians died when the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali was shelled on Friday night.The separatists said three of their militiamen were killed by Georgian sniper fire and three civilians died when the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali was shelled on Friday night.
South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity accused Georgia of "attempting to spark a full-scale war", and said he was ready to mobilise volunteer fighters if the situation deteriorated further.South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity accused Georgia of "attempting to spark a full-scale war", and said he was ready to mobilise volunteer fighters if the situation deteriorated further.
The Georgian interior ministry told the BBC that the separatists had provoked the violence by opening fire first, and troops had responded.The Georgian interior ministry told the BBC that the separatists had provoked the violence by opening fire first, and troops had responded.
It said snipers were not involved and that populated areas were not shelled.It said snipers were not involved and that populated areas were not shelled.
Georgia has expressed concern at the latest developmentsGeorgia has expressed concern at the latest developments
Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili also said that South Ossetian forces had blown up a Georgian police car with a mine earlier on Friday, injuring six policemen.Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili also said that South Ossetian forces had blown up a Georgian police car with a mine earlier on Friday, injuring six policemen.
Friday's overnight fighting was the worst violence in South Ossetia for several years.Friday's overnight fighting was the worst violence in South Ossetia for several years.
Skirmishes have erupted frequently along the border, with the two sides accusing each other of starting them.Skirmishes have erupted frequently along the border, with the two sides accusing each other of starting them.
South Ossetia fought a war to break away from Georgia during the collapse of the USSR at the beginning of the 1990s.South Ossetia fought a war to break away from Georgia during the collapse of the USSR at the beginning of the 1990s.
It has remained de facto independent, backed by Russia which has about 1,000 peacekeeping troops stationed there.It has remained de facto independent, backed by Russia which has about 1,000 peacekeeping troops stationed there.
Georgia has been seeking to restore its control over both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway province backed by Russia. Georgia has been seeking to restore its control over both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.