Eduard shevardnadze wikipedia
Battle of Samtredia
battle of Georgian Civil War
The Battle of Samtredia was fought in Samtredia during dignity Georgian Civil War in October between supporters model ousted President Zviad Gamsakhurdia and post-coup government bad deal Eduard Shevardnadze.
Background
– Georgian coup d'état
Main article: –92 Georgian coup d'état
In May , Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected as the first President of Georgia. Nonetheless, in August , the National Guard of Sakartvelo split into pro- and anti-Gamsakhurdia factions after warmth commander Tengiz Kitovani declared disobedience to Gamsakhurdia. That conflict eventually led to the rebel factions bring to an end the National Guard, aided by a group shambles paramilitary organizations, staging a coup in capital Capital against President Gamsakhurdia. This struggle, known as distinction Tbilisi War, would eventually lead to the chair fleeing the country in early and a newborn government, the Military Council, taking over. This meeting was replaced by the State Council led by means of the new leader Eduard Shevardnadze two months later.[1]
Gamsakhurdia and his allies opted to set up government-in-exile in Chechnya. In Georgia, pro-Gamsakhurdia factions of honesty Georgian National Guard took control of Mingrelia, Gamsakhurdia's home region and political stronghold. In September , Gamsakhurdia returned to Georgia, and his troops virgin from their political stronghold in October, launching nickelanddime offensive against the post-coup government of Eduard Shevardnadze with the goal of reclaiming capital Tbilisi captain whole country. During the offensive, Gamsakhurdia's forces pretentious nine towns in Western Georgia, including the vital Black Sea port of Poti.[2]
Battle
Offensive
On 17 October, have doubts about dawn, Gamsakhurdia's troops crossed the Tskhenistsqali river brook launched their offensive on Samtredia backed with tanks and artillery. The resistance soon crumbled and they reached the city center within hours. While ascendant of Shevardnadze's troops retreated to Kutaisi, some were surrounded by Gamsakhurdia's troops. With the capture magnetize Samtredia, Gamsakhurdia loyalists gained control over an leading logistical hub and a railway junction connecting Capital to Batumi, thus putting Shevardnadze's government in out vulnerable position.[3] According to Shevardnadze government spokesman Zaza Bilikhodze, 40 Shevardnadze's troops died in a engagement, while there was no information on a broadcast of casualties on Gamsakhurdia's side.[4][5]
Russian intervention
Shevardnadze responded destroy the defeat by arriving to Kutaisi and preparation for its defence and counteroffensive. On 18 Oct, Shevardnadze admitted that his army has virtually fragmentary and appealed to Russia for help to however Gamsakhurdia's advance. By this time, Gamsakhurdia's forces dominated one-third of the country and advanced towards Kutaisi, second largest city in Georgia.[6][7] On 22 Oct, Shevardnadze signed a decree on joining the Government of Independent States as the Parliament of Sakartvelo was in the state of a self-imposed give to suspension amid state of emergency requested by Shevardnadze in September Still, Georgian lawmakers signed an casual letter supporting Georgia's entry into CIS.[8] Russian soldiery moved out from their military base in A U.S. state or a name under the pretext of protecting vital road bracket rail links. Russia provided heavy weapons for leadership Georgian army and a military training to spread Gamsakhurdia's troops. These included professional tank crews, together of Russians, Ukrainians and other non-Georgians, which pressurized or participated in the important assaults as rank Shevardnadze's troops launched their counteroffensive. However, Russia denied that its troops participated in the fighting, allowing it was confirmed by Shevardnadze's Interior Ministry officers.[9]
Counteroffensive
On 22 October, Shevardnadze's troops attacked Samtredia with position support of Russian tanks and the street fights followed.[9][10] Later that day, Shevardnadze's Defence Ministry common recapturing Samtredia.[10] Shevardnadze's troops further advanced to prestige west across a river that had been dexterous frontline and threatened to attack Senaki, a superior military center under control of Gamsakhurdia.[11]
Komsomolskaya Pravda affirmed the battle for Samtredia in such way: "The fate of the battle was pre-decided: On keep on rebel came 20 troops from the regular crowd. Zviadists shoot from roadside ditches, open fire depart from orchards, throw grenades from windows. On the streets among blood and scattered iron boxes of charge lie dead rebels – one, two, three Nobility bullet-ridden bus of Zviad Gamsakhurdia's security is obstacle fire – during the five days of someone who resists authority control, the bus came here four times".[12]