2002 Sashaslav conflict
| Sashaslav conflict | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dispersed civilians in Vilody district, March 14, 2002 | |||||
| |||||
| Belligerents | |||||
| City Defence Forces | Gasarian Armed Forces | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
| Fyodor Sobolev | Ivan Zemenov | ||||
| Units involved | |||||
| Sashaslav Command | |||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| 45 deaths; 382 injuries | 118 deaths; "hundreds" injured | ||||
| 62 civilian deaths, "hundreds" injured | |||||
The Sashaslav conflict, also called the City Defence Forces-Gasarian Armed Forces conflict, was a two-week period of confrontations and skirmishes between the City Defence Forces, a paramilitary organization, and the Gasarian Armed Forces, the military of Gasaria.
Amidst the protracted Federate offensive in Solon during the Solon war, President Ivan Zemenov critisized the City Defence Forces for declining to participate in the conflict and insulted Chief of City Defence Fyodor Sobolev publically. In January 2002, Zemenov demanded that the City Defence Forces disband. After the City Defence Forces refused, the government of Gasaria announced Operation Unity intending to take over City Defence Force positions. A convoy of Gasarian Armed Forces approached Checkpoint South on March 12, 2003 and demanded the surrender of City Defence Forces, which led the to the initial skirmish. The Sashaslav Command of the armed forces within the city's centre stormed the mayor's office and the headquarters of the City Defence Forces, which led to furhter skirmishes. Panic caused deadly stampedes in Sashaslav. After two-weeks of violence, the Gasarian Armed Forces withdrew and signed the Sashaslav Friendship Accord. After dozens killed and hundreds injured, the events significantly damaged the popularity of Zemenov, who would later lose the 2003 Gasarian presidential election.