Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania has visited Georgian troops stationed in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.
The Defense Ministry's press service said on September 17 that Alasania visited Camp Leatherneck, the U.S. Marine Corps base in Washir district, and then a combat outpost in Musa Qala in Helmand's north.
Alasania was briefed on the current situation on the ground and the role Georgian soldiers are playing in the mission.
Georgia has been the largest non-NATO troop contributor to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force since it almost doubled its presence in Afghanistan to more than 1,560 soldiers last fall.
Twenty-nine Georgian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since Tbilisi sent troops there in 2004.
This is Alasania's fourth visit to Afghanistan since becoming defense minister in October 2012.
The Defense Ministry's press service said on September 17 that Alasania visited Camp Leatherneck, the U.S. Marine Corps base in Washir district, and then a combat outpost in Musa Qala in Helmand's north.
Alasania was briefed on the current situation on the ground and the role Georgian soldiers are playing in the mission.
Georgia has been the largest non-NATO troop contributor to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force since it almost doubled its presence in Afghanistan to more than 1,560 soldiers last fall.
Twenty-nine Georgian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since Tbilisi sent troops there in 2004.
This is Alasania's fourth visit to Afghanistan since becoming defense minister in October 2012.
