South Ossetia threatens Georgia with retaliation

South Ossetia says it will move heavy weaponry into the conflict zone with Georgia, unless attacks on the republic are stopped, according to the breakaway republic's President, Eduard Kokoity.

At least one person has been killed and seven others injured, after residential areas came under fire in the republic's capital.

Mortars and grenades are said to have been used in the attacks, which happened overnight.

There has been no official comment from Georgia regarding the incident.

South Ossetia says its military has been put on high alert.

South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia in the early nineties. A violent conflict followed and peacekeepers from a joint control commission have been stationed in the region since.

The breakaway republic hasn't been recognised internationally.

The commander of the joint control commission, Marat Kulakhmetov, says Georgia has just reinforced its military presence in the area.