MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 26th August, 2018) The repetition of a military conflict similar to the events of August 2008 is impossible in South Ossetia while the Russian military is in the republic and while relations with Moscow are good, former secretary of the South Ossetian Security Council Anatoly Barankevich, who took part in the defense of Tskhinvali in August 2008, told Sputnik on Sunday.
On Sunday, South Ossetia celebrates the 10th anniversary of recognition of its independence by Russia. The guests of festive events include Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad, Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) leader Alexander Zakharchenko, Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) acting head Leonid Pasechnik, delegations from Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, from Russian regions, and from both houses of the Russian parliament.
"As long as there are Russian troops, as long as there is an agreement between Russia and South Ossetia, there will be no interference from Georgia and NATO," Barankevich said, answering a question on whether a repetition of the 2008 conflict is possible.
A Russian military base and Russian border guards are the guarantors of the security of South Ossetia, he stressed.
"There will be no war as long as they are there, the main thing is that relations between South Ossetia and Russia should not deteriorate under any conditions," Barankevich added.
The republic proclaimed its independence in 1991, which triggered several armed conflicts between South Ossetia and Georgia. In 2008, the Georgian military launched missiles at the republic's capital Tskhinval, with Russia interfering in the conflict to protect local residents. Moscow deployed its troops in the region and drove away Georgian military after just five days of hostilities.
On August 26, 2008, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another region that seceded from Georgia. Subsequently, the republics were recognized by several other states. Syria announced the recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on May 29.
