New group of Georgian soldiers leaves for Afghanistan

Georgian Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia sent 94 Georgian soldiers to Afghanistan, where they perform their mission under the NATO operation ISAF, Trend reports, citing the Georgian Defense Ministry.

The official farewell ceremony was held at a military base in Vaziani (near Tbilisi). The farewell ceremony was attended, along with the minister, by the head of the Joint Staff of Georgian Armed Forces Devi Chankotadze, as well as military attaches of the embassies accredited in Georgia. The soldiers received a flag of Georgia and were consecrated by a priest.

Georgian troops participate in international operation to provide security in Afghanistan since 2009. During this time three rotations happened. 1500 soldiers returned to Georgia, seven were killed and 20 wounded. More than 900 Georgian soldiers are serving now in Afghanistan. One group is located in Kabul in the area of ​​responsibility of France, another battalion is stationed in Helmand province in the area of ​​responsibility the United States.