Georgian PM honours heroes of Abkhazia war, reaffirms Govt’s responsibility to restore territorial integrity peacefully

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday paid tribute to the heroes who lost their lives in the war in Abkhazia, on the 32nd anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi, emphasising the nation’s responsibility to achieve Georgia’s territorial integrity through peaceful means.

Kobakhidze, together with Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, and other members of the executive and legislative branches, laid a wreath at the Heroes Memorial in Tbilisi.

“Today we pay tribute to the heroes who died in Abkhazia and recall the tragedy of Abkhazia. These were tragic events, but at the same time, this day reminds us of the heroism of many Georgians. It also reminds us of our responsibility to ensure the fulfilment of the goal for which our heroes sacrificed their lives. This is the restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity through peaceful means. This is our responsibility before our heroes”, Kobakhidze said.

September 27 marks 32 years since the fall of Sokhumi, the decisive event of the 1992-1993 conflict in Abkhazia, which lasted 13 months and 13 days.

The war resulted in Georgia’s loss of control over Abkhazia, while the region declared so-called independence. The international community has since recognized the situation as the occupation of Georgian territory by the Russian Federation.

According to various estimates, more than 10,000 Georgians - both soldiers and civilians -were killed during the hostilities, while over 250,000 ethnic Georgians were forcibly displaced from their homes. The Abkhaz side reports approximately 3,500 deaths and nearly 2,000 wounded.

The conflict forced tens of thousands to abandon their homes and flee through the Caucasus mountains in search of safety, leaving deep humanitarian and political scars that remain unresolved to this day.