The situation in Georgia

Between the Olympics opening and other less important news you may have seen that things have kicked off in Georgia. This has gone overnight from an internal battle which has been going on for years to a full out war with Georgia and Russia. Reports are coming in saying that the Russians have bombed a Military base about 10kms from the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

Georgia has also withdrawn 2,000 troops from Iraq amid the "Russian aggression". Now there are reports of Russians bombs dropping inside Georgia and not the break away region it starts to get more serious that full blown war will (or is) break(ing) out. The UN Security Council is due to meet soon, maybe this will bring an end to the violence.

I will try and update this post as things develop.
EDITS:
(All times are UK time)
20:45: The Russians say 15 of there "peacekeepers have been killed and 150 wounded by Georgian fire.

21:47: Georgia to only remove half of its troops from Iraq, not the full 2,000 as previously stated

22:01: Georgia shot down 2 Russian jets (unknown model) according to AP and BBC

22:07: E.U & US to send Ceasefire envoy to Georgia. There are also reports of an airport been damaged so it might be hard for them to get in

22:14: BBC reporting that the Georgian government will pose marshal law. Russia has also bombed a port in near the Black sea. More soon (hopefully)

22:22: Reuters AlertNet is reporting that the port that was bombed is Poti. Georgian Government believe Russia is going to bomb civil and economic infrastructure.

22:30: Sky news is reporting that Russia has now started bombing civilian targets - looks like the War is on!

22:35: Georgia's National Security Council to declare a state of emergency in the next few hours. No one has declared war yet. UK newspapers all running a front page of "a day of war and peace" in reference to the opening of the Olympics and the violence that has really kicked off today.

22:55: AlertNet reporting ICRC are attempting to get all sides to allow aid agencies in to civilians and to evacuating any injured civilians

23:05: Georgian Government official assume capital will be attacked, has evacuated officials from Tbilisi. Reports of more bombings of targets outside of South Ossetia. Very much so feels like War, lets hope its short.

23:09: 3 hours of talks at the UN, no agreements. Gone from a closed session to an open session.

23:21: Civil.ge is reporting that the Georgian military base in Vaziani was bombed 4 times and a train station has also been bombed additionally a military base in Senaki has also been bombed by Russian jets.

23:30: Bit of research, Russia is properly using Sukhoi Su-24's (NATO Reporting name: Fencer) to bomb targets in Georgia. Russia has about 458 of these. Its similar to the Panavia Tornado or F-111

00:20: CNN reporting bombing of Georgian capital by Russian jets. Deputy Defence Minister tells CNN that 5 Russian jets have been shot down. Russian bombing has injured civilians, and killed 2 civilians. American government have been in contact with the Georgian government

00:56: Would appear both the Russians and the Georgians are using Sukhoi Su-25's. These aircraft are close ground support, so they have the ability to take out both ground and air targets. It can carry a wide range of air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles, from cluster bombs to laser targeting missiles. Don't expect "humane" accuracy from either sides however. It is ironic that the Russians are using the Su-25 as it was built in Georgia during the days of the USSR.

01:07: Despite what CNN said, no bombing of the capital but ministers are said to be "expecting" it, even though there is no intelligence to suggest this is happening. Lots of unconfirmed numbers of dead are flying around. between 1,500 and 30.

03:10: Very little news now.......an interesting opinion from this Blog though. Some of it makes sense, some of it is a little fair fetched. Make your own mind up. Also, this blogger based in Tbilisi says there is no fighting on the streets. Reports from CNN about bombing must have been over-exaggerated (you can never trust the American media) or I read them wrong (you can also never trust me while tired)

03:15: Still no pictures or video, or reports from the town of Poti. This is the home to the Georgian Navy but also a quite busy port and properly contributes to the Georgian economy quite a bit. Maybe that's why Russia bombed it.

04:17: Got some more info from a blog set up by one of the newspapers in Georgia. The Messenger has set up a blog. They say that at least seven buildings are on fire in Tskhinvali (the provisonal capital of South Ossetia) and there have also been reports of gun fire.

And I'm going to call it a night on live blogging on this issue, Hopefully I'll be able to do it again but for something more cheery.