On 9 August 2008, Russian-supported separatists in Abkhazia launched air and artillery strikes to drive Georgian troops out of the Kodori gorge, the only part of Abkhazia controlled by Georgia before this war.[11][12] A "second front" against Georgia was opened.[13] The Itar-Tass news agency quoted the foreign minister of Abkhazia Sergei Shamba as saying that the armed forces of Abkhazia had begun an operation to force Georgian troops out of the upper part of the Kodori gorge. In a separate report by Interfax news agency, Sergei Bagapsh said, that its "aviation is currently conducting an operation in the upper part of the Kodori gorge of Abkhazia controlled by Georgia."[14] Shamba also said, "Today was only the initial part of the operation by heavy artillery supported by aviation."[13] Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili was quoted by the Itar-Tass agency as saying that Georgia had defeated all attacks on the upper part of the Kodori gorge.[15] On 10 August Abkhaz warplanes and artillery continued to pound Georgian positions for a second day in a row. Bagapsh said, Abkhazia was acting "independently".[16] The separatist authorities of Abkhazia announced a full military mobilisation.[17] The president of Abkhazia said, that "around 1,000 special Abkhaz troops" were involved in operations against Georgian forces.