The Sukhumi massacre is a pivotal event in the conflict between Abkhaz separatists and Georgian forces during the Abkhaz War. This conflict emerged in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union, as various ethnic groups sought independence or autonomy. The massacre occurred amidst a backdrop of escalating ethnic tensions and civil strife between the Abkhaz and Georgian populations. By September 1993, Abkhaz forces had intensified their military operations to gain control over Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia.

On that fateful day, Abkhaz troops, often supported by Russian paramilitaries, launched a large-scale attack on Georgian neighborhoods within Sukhumi. This assault led to significant loss of life and widespread panic. Reports indicate that hundreds of Georgians were killed or displaced in highly organized assaults on their communities, with many fleeing to seek refuge in other regions of Georgia. The aftermath saw mass displacements and created an enduring refugee crisis that affected Georgia and the broader Caucasus region.

The actions of the Abkhaz forces drew condemnation from the international community, highlighting the fragile nature of post-Soviet societies and the potential for communal violence. The massacre, along with other acts of violence during the war, underscored the deep-rooted ethnonational tensions and was seen as a catalyst for further conflict. It also contributed to the establishment of a long-standing regime in Abkhazia, where ethnic Georgians were largely excluded from political life and societal participation.