Georgia's separatist province of Abkhazia sent 1,000 troops to a disputed gorge, effectively opening a second front in Tbilisi's battle to regain control over its breakaway regions.

Sergei Bagapsh, self-styled president of Abkhazia on the Black Sea coast, told reporters he had already dispatched 1,000 troops to Kodori -- a narrow gorge which cuts deep into its territory and is an ideal route for any invasion in the region.

"We are ready to act independently," Mr Bagapsh said. "We are ready to enforce order and go further if there is resistance from the Georgian side."

Abkhazia and Georgia's other separatist region, South Ossetia, broke away from Tbilisi's rule after wars in early 1990s and say they want nothing less than full independence. Georgia sees their return as a top national priority.

Both regions are backed by Russia, which poured in troops to South Ossetia after Georgia launched a military operation this week to regain control over the region.

Bagapsh added he had also announced the mobilisation of reservists to reinforce its positions.

"We are coordinating our actions with Russia, our biggest friend," he said.

"I have asked Russian peacekeepers to reinforce their military presence on the Georgian-Abkhaz border ..." he added. "Contacts with the current leadership of Georgia are impossible".