Tensions are high on the de facto border between South Ossetia and Georgia proper, with both sides trading accusations and EU observers being called in. An armed incursion? Shots exchanged? Nope: cattle rustling. According to Georgia's "Expert Club":
In the evening of May 10th shepherds from the Georgian village Kelktseuli (located near the line of the occupation) returned without herd entrusted to them and told police that they were attacked by a group of eight armed people. The militants were dressed in Russian uniforms and spoke among themselves in Ossetian language, but they talked with the shepherds in Georgian and demanded that they drove their cattle into the occupied territory. They took away a mobile phone from one of the shepherds. Another one who tried to resist was hit on the head. Ultimately, shepherds fled.
EU observers were informed about the incident and they also talked to the victims...
The story's breathless, mockumentary-style tone (read the whole thing) is funny, but cattle raiding is no joke. According to Azar Gat's phenomenal book War in Human Civilization, meat was one of the original two causes (along with women) of conflict among early humans. And it's still the case in Sudan, where cattle rustling is a major cause of the conflicts there. Let's hope it doesn't get that way in the Caucasus.
Joshua Kucera, a senior correspondent, is Eurasianet's former Turkey/Caucasus editor and has written for the site since 2007.
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