The breakaway region Abkhazia said Tuesday its forces have now gained control of most of the Kodori Valley, previously controlled by Georgia.
Sergei Bagapsh, president of the region located in north-western Georgia, said Abkhazian troops had taken the towns of Ashara and Tchalta and that the forces were advancing, dpa reported.
"The Abkhazian army continues to proceed sucessfully toward the border with Georgia," the pro-Moscow Bagapsh said, according to a report by the Interfax agency.
Till recently the upper Kodori Valley region had been administered by Georgia, which citing international law insists that Abkhazia is part of its territory.