Abkhazia standoff could lead to war

BRUSSELS, June 5 (UPI) -- The inflamed rhetoric and troop buildup around Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region could lead to war, according to the International Crisis Group.

A report released Thursday by the independent non-governmental organization says the growing hostilities between Russia and Georgia over Abkhazia could lead the Caucasus region into a military conflict, the Crisis Group reported.

The analysis, titled "Georgia and Russia: Clashing over Abkhazia," calls on all parties involved to tone down aggressions and redeploy troops out of the region.

Over the last few months, Russia and Georgia have increased troop levels around Abkhazia. A recent U.N. report came to the conclusion that Russia was responsible for a Georgian unmanned aircraft reconnaissance drone being shot down.

The heightened confrontation has led many to call for Russia to stand down and also for Georgia to re-evaluate its approach to the Abkhaz people.

"Neither Georgia nor Russia probably wants war, but it could all too easily come by miscalculation. If it does, it could set the Caucasus -- north and south -- ablaze," Sabine Freizer, Crisis Group Europe program director, said in a statement.

"All sides need to recognize the risks in their policies, return to the negotiations table and support confidence building."