We have to remember that technically, South Ossetia is a province of Georgia, and has about 80-85 percent of their external border with Georgia. However, they have been autonomous (with strong Russian support) for a long time (since 1991 or 1992).
1. Last week, South Ossetian artillery began a more intensive than normal shelling of Georgian border regions: this is not uncommon over the years. There is some possibility that the South Ossetian shelling was in response to Georgian shelling: it is almost impossible to say who started it.
2. After three days of increased shelling by South Ossetian artillery, Georgian forces invaded South Ossetia on Thursday night.
