Georgia Sends More Troops to Iraq

300 Georgian servicemen left for Iraq on November 8 to replace the 159-strong unit, which has been serving as part of the coalition forces in Iraq since April of this year.

Georgia, which committed to send a total of 850 troops to Iraq to serve in the protection forces of the UN Mission, is sending those servicemen who were trained by the U.S. military instructors in frames of Georgia Train-and-Equip Program to serve in Iraq.

Georgia has contributed to the coalition force since August, 2003 and has been gradually increasing its presence there. Initially only 70 Georgian servicemen were dispatched to Iraq last year, including several doctors.