US Embassy honours victims of Abkhazia war on 33rd anniversary of Sokhumi fall

The United States Embassy in Georgia on Sunday commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi, honouring those who died during the war in Abkhazia and those who were forced to leave their homes as a result of the conflict.

US Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Austrian paid tribute to those who died in the war by visiting the Heroes’ Memorial together with representatives of the US Embassy.

“Today marks 33 years since the tragic fall of Sokhumi. Together with our Georgian partners, we remember the sacrifice and courage of those who gave their lives to defend Georgia, as well as those who were forced to leave their homes as a result of the war”, the Embassy said.

September 27 marks 33 years since the fall of Sokhumi, the decisive event of the 1992-1993 war in Abkhazia, which lasted 13 months and 13 days.

The war resulted in Georgia losing control over Abkhazia, while the region subsequently operated as a de facto separate entity. The international community recognises Abkhazia as part of Georgia and considers the region to be under Russian occupation.

Estimates of casualties and displacement vary. According to Georgian estimates, more than 10,000 people, including soldiers and civilians, were killed during the hostilities, while more than 250,000 ethnic Georgians were displaced from their homes.

The Abkhaz side reports approximately 3,500 deaths and nearly 2,000 wounded. The conflict forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, leaving deep humanitarian and political consequences that remain unresolved to this day.