US says monitoring Russian troop buildup in S. Ossetia

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. said Friday it is "monitoring" reports of a troop buildup in the Russian-occupied region of Georgia.

Washington is calling "on all sides to avoid escalation" and work through established de-escalation channels to "resolve the situation," said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.

"Further, we call on the Russian Federation to utilize all available channels to prevent further escalation of the situation along the" line dividing South Ossetia from Georgia, Ortagus said.

The region has been occupied by Russia since 2008 when Tbilisi fought a five-day war with Moscow over the breakaway region and Abkhazia.

Georgia ultimately lost control of both areas, and Russia later recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states -- an action unrecognized by the international community.

Both regions remain internationally-recognized Georgian territories.