SUMMARY

Upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia launched an armed struggle to achieve independence from Georgia. Abkhaz rebels made use of one-sided attacks during the intra-state conflict, but also in 1995 after the hostilities had ended.

In particular, during heavy fighting over the Abkhaz capital Sukhumi, Abkhaz rebels shot down civilian passenger planes. After the end of the fighting that had resulted in around 240 000 ethnic Georgian refugees, Abkhaz rebels continued to commit sporadic one-sided attacks, particularly against ethnic Georgians despite the establishment of a security and restricted weapons zone and the presence of a UN observer mission (UNOMIG). There were incidences of plundering, rape, and torture as well as one-sided killings.

Abkhaz rebels were said to have acted out of revenge for killings of their fellows in some incidents and the Abkhaz de-facto authorities admitted that they were at times unable to exercise full control over the militia.

The Republic of Abkhazia first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 1993, when the one-sided violence resulted in over 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached in when a TU-134 airplane approaching Sukhumi airport was downed on 21 September that year.