Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists are exchanging heavy fire just hours after agreeing to a ceasefire and Russian-mediated talks.
Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists are exchanging heavy fire just hours after agreeing to a ceasefire and Russian-mediated talks.
Fighting broke out after a brief lull in a day of heavy gunfire and shelling.
Fighting broke out after a brief lull in a day of heavy gunfire and shelling.
Up to 10 Georgian peacekeepers and civilians have died, Georgia's interior ministry told Reuters news agency.
Up to 10 Georgian peacekeepers and civilians have died, Georgia's interior ministry told Reuters news agency.
Russia, which has close ties with South Ossetia, says Georgia is building up its forces to seize the breakaway province, a claim Georgia denies.
Russia, which has close ties with South Ossetia, says Georgia is building up its forces to seize the breakaway province, a claim Georgia denies.
Days of heavy fighting have raised fears of new war in the volatile Caucasus.
Days of heavy fighting have raised fears of new war in the volatile Caucasus.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said there had been many casualties, including some deaths.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said there had been many casualties, including some deaths.
In a televised address, he called for the spiral of bloodshed to end, but he also warned the separatists not to try the patience of the Georgian state.
In a televised address, he called for the spiral of bloodshed to end, but he also warned the separatists not to try the patience of the Georgian state.
Fighting has focused all day near the town of Tskhinvali in South Ossetia.
Fighting has focused all day near the town of Tskhinvali in South Ossetia.
A truce was announced, with emergency talks set for Friday. But the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi said Georgia then accused the separatists of opening fire again a few hours after Mr Saakashvili ordered his troops to stop shooting.
A truce was announced, with emergency talks set for Friday. But the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi said Georgia then accused the separatists of opening fire again a few hours after Mr Saakashvili ordered his troops to stop shooting.
By nightfall, both sides were trading heavy fire.
By nightfall, both sides were trading heavy fire.
Georgian troops protect ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia
Georgian troops protect ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia
Georgian officials have claimed separatists in South Ossetia - who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s - were trying to drag the country into a new conflict and blame Russia for arming them, a claim Moscow denies.
Georgian officials have claimed separatists in South Ossetia - who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s - were trying to drag the country into a new conflict and blame Russia for arming them, a claim Moscow denies.
President Saakashvili has vowed to restore Tbilisi's control over South Ossetia and another breakaway province, Abkhazia.
President Saakashvili has vowed to restore Tbilisi's control over South Ossetia and another breakaway province, Abkhazia.
The Ossetians have traditionally had good relations with Russia - unlike some of their Caucasus neighbours - and North Ossetia is part of the Russian Federation.
The Ossetians have traditionally had good relations with Russia - unlike some of their Caucasus neighbours - and North Ossetia is part of the Russian Federation.
Russia is hostile to Georgia's ambition to join Nato and has accused Georgia of building up its forces around the breakaway regions, where Russian peacekeeping troops are deployed.
Russia is hostile to Georgia's ambition to join Nato and has accused Georgia of building up its forces around the breakaway regions, where Russian peacekeeping troops are deployed.
Are you in the town of South Ossetia or elsewhere in Georgia? What is your reaction to the offer of a ceasefire? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in South Ossetia or elsewhere in Georgia? What is your reaction to the offer of a ceasefire? Send us your comments using the form below.
