| Republic of South Ossetia Республикӕ Хуссар Ирыстон Республика Южная Осетия | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Capital and largest city | Tskhinvali |
| Official languages | Ossetian Russian |
| Area | |
• Total | 3,900 km² |
| Population | |
• 2015 census | 53,532 |
South Ossetia, officially the Republic of South Ossetia, is a partially recognized state in the Caucasus. It was an autonomous oblast in the Georgian SSR until 1990, when it declared independence. Its independence is now recognized by Nauru,[1] Nicaragua, Russia,[2] Syria, and Venezuela. In March 2022, President Anatoly Bibilov announced that there may be a referendum on whether South Ossetia will join the Russian Federation.[3]
History
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia in 1990. Georgia responded by removing its autonomous status and imposing Georgian as the official language, causing Ossetians to rebel. 1,000 South Ossetians were killed by the Georgian military. In 1992, Russian troops entered South Ossetia to protect against another Georgian attack.
In 2006, 98% of voters reaffirmed the independence of South Ossetia. Georgian forces bombed the capital city of Tskhinvali in August 2008 with support from George W. Bush.[4]
References
- ↑ Reuters Staff (2009-12-15). "Pacific island recognises Georgian rebel region" Reuters.
- ↑ Dmitry Medvedev (2008-08-26). "Statement by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev" President of Russia. Archived from the original on 2008-09-02.
- ↑ "'Unacceptable': Georgia condemns proposed separatist referendum on joining Russia" (2022-03-31). Euronews. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ↑ Saul Kanowitz (2008-08-15). "Russia, Georgia, and independence in the age of imperialism" Liberation School. Archived from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2022-06-21.