Heavy fighting was reported tonight in the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia after Georgian forces launched an assault on Russian-backed rebels. The battles erupted shortly after the president of Georgia made a dramatic appeal for a ceasefire following a day of heavy clashes which claimed at least 10 lives. President Saakashvili offered “an immediate ceasefire and an immediate beginning of talks” in a televised address to the separatist region. He repeated an offer of autonomy within Georgia, saying that he was willing to make Russia the guarantor of any agreement.

Fighting in the border region between the former Soviet republic of Georgia and a breakaway Georgian enclave has reached its highest level in years, with Georgia saying that up to 10 civilians and soldiers had been killed in violence that erupted overnight on Wednesday and lasted throughout the day on Thursday. The deaths were part of an intense, new round of fighting that has continued sporadically since last Saturday, when six people in South Ossetia, the breakaway enclave, died and more than 20 were wounded on both sides.

Fighting raged in and around the capital of Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region on Friday as Georgian troops, backed by warplanes, pounded separatist forces in a bid to re-take control of the territory. A Reuters correspondent said the roar of warplanes and the explosions of heavy shells were deafening more than three km (two miles) from the town. Many houses were ablaze. Georgia's pro-Western president, Mikheil Saakashvili, said his forces had "freed" the greater part of the territory's capital, Tskhinvali, and ordered a full-scale mobilization of military reservists. Georgia said four Russian jets entered Georgian airspace and dropped bombs on two places just south of the territory, which has been outside central government control since the 1990s.

Government troops launched a major military offensive Friday to regain control over the breakaway province of South Ossetia and the president accused Russia, which has close ties to the separatists, of bombing Georgian territory. Russian Premier Vladimir Putin said the offensive will draw unspecified retaliation. Separatist officials in South Ossetia said 15 civilians had been killed in fighting overnight after Georgia attacked with aircraft, armor and heavy artillery. Georgian troops fired missiles at the regional capital, Tskhinvali, an official said, and many buildings were on fire.

Georgia says its troops have surrounded the capital of separatist South Ossetia as Russia warns further aggression would lead to retaliation from Moscow. Fighting around Tskhinvali resumed overnight, breaking a ceasefire deal, and bombardments are continuing. Georgian President Mikhail Saakasvili has called on reservists to sign up for duty and accused Russia of sending fighter jets to bomb Georgian towns. At least 15 civilians are said to have died as well as several Russian troops.