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 have been 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 fighting in which 12 people were reportedly killed.
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, has claimed Georgia is ready to overrun the breakaway province.
Russia, which has close ties with South Ossetia, says Georgia is building up its forces to seize the breakaway province, a claim Georgia denies.
The head of Georgian peacekeepers in South Ossetia said they were going to "restore constitutional order" there.
The head of Georgian peacekeepers in South Ossetia said his government had decided to "restore constitutional order" in the breakaway province.
'Backwards reaction'
"We had demanded that [the separatists] sit at the negotiating table but all of this was met with a backwards reaction and there was constant shooting," said Brig Gen Mamuka Kurashvili.
"We had demanded that [the separatists] sit at the negotiating table but all of this was met with a backwards reaction and there was constant shooting," said Brig Gen Mamuka Kurashvili.
"The Georgian power-wielding bodies decided to restore constitutional order throughout the whole region."
"The Georgian power-wielding bodies decided to restore constitutional order throughout the whole region."
South Ossetian rebel leader Eduard Kokoity told Moscow-based Interfax news agency Georgia had launched an all-out attack on the town of Tskhinvali.
'Perfidious step'
South Ossetian rebel leader Eduard Kokoity told Moscow-based Interfax news agency Georgia had launched an all-out attack on the town of Tskhinvali, in what he called "a perfidious and base step".
Georgian troops protect ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia
Georgian troops protect ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia
Up to 10 Georgian soldiers died in Thursday's clashes, the Georgian interior ministry told AFP news agency.
Separatist authorities claimed on their website two civilians had been killed after coming under Georgian attack.
Days of fierce conflict have raised fears of new war in the volatile Caucasus.
Days of fierce conflict have raised fears of new war in the volatile Caucasus.
In a televised address, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili earlier called for the bloodshed to end, but also warned the separatists not to try Tbilisi's patience.
In a televised address, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili earlier called for the bloodshed to end, but also warned the separatists not to try Tbilisi's patience.
A truce was later announced, with emergency talks set for Friday, but by nightfall, both sides were trading heavy fire.
A truce was later announced, with emergency talks set for Friday, but by nightfall, both sides were trading heavy fire.
Georgia accuses Russia of arming the South Ossetian authorities - who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s. Moscow denies the claim.
Georgia accuses Russia of arming the South Ossetian authorities - who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s. Moscow denies the claim.
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, and North Ossetia is part of the Russian Federation.
The Ossetians have traditionally had good relations with Russia, 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 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.
