Georgian President pays tribute to Abkhazia War heroes on Sokhumi fall anniversary

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday laid a wreath at the memorial to the heroes who died for Georgia’s territorial integrity, marking the anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi and paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the war in Abkhazia.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, representatives of the executive and legislative branches, and family members of those who died in the war also attended the ceremony.

Kavelashvili paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in what he described as the struggle for Georgia’s unity and freedom.

“We remember every person who gave their life for Georgia. In honour of their memory, it is our duty to safeguard peace and never lose faith that our country will certainly be reunited”, Kavelashvili said.

According to the President, commemorating the anniversary carries a responsibility for Georgia to continue working toward the country’s reunification through peaceful means.

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 of 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.