The South Ossetian Conflict is a territorial dispute between Georgia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia. This conflict began in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union, as South Ossetia sought independence from Georgia. Tensions escalated into armed conflict in 2008, leading to a brief war. Following the war, Russia recognized South Ossetia as an independent state, while Georgia and most of the international community consider it part of Georgian territory. The situation remains tense, with ongoing disputes over borders and the presence of Russian military forces in the region.