The 2007 Mingrelian Independence War was an armed conflict in 2007 between Abzhakia , Ossetia , and Georgia on one side, and Azerbaijan , and Mingrelia on the other. Tension start when the Mingrelian people declared independence from Abkhazia. The increasing tensions escalated during the summer months of 2007. On 16 July, Azerbaijan vowed to defend Georgia vowed to defend Abkhazia. The Mingrelian population was transfered to Guria, and the native Georgian population was transfered to Imereti region in Georgia.