Rebels seeking to restore the ousted president built defenses and organized guerrilla units Thursday to try to stop government forces advancing on the rebel stronghold of Zugdidi.
Government commanders demanded that Zugdidi residents surrender and turn over former President Zviad Gamsakhurdia or face bloody fighting. They believe Gamsakhurdia, who was ousted nearly two years ago, is in Zugdidi, his hometown.Soldiers loyal to Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze Thursday approached the village of Tsatskhvi, about eight miles from Zugdidi in western Georgia, a government statement said.
Government forces recaptured the important towns of Khobi and Senaki after fighting Wednesday. The victories were the latest in a string of government successes and marked a major setback for forces seeking to restore Gamsakhurdia.
The Interfax News Agency reported Thursday that male residents of Zugdidi were being forced to join rebel units to defend the city.
Rebel soldiers built defenses around Zugdidi and guerrilla units set up bases in surrounding forests for attacks on government forces, the news agency reported.
The rebel army, believed to number up to 10,000 men, is trying to reinstate Gamsakhurdia, an ardent nationalist ousted in January 1992 by former allies who accused him of acting like a dictator.