British troops join Georgian exercise

Georgian and British troops today conducted a joint exercise simulating an attack in Iraq, where both countries have forces.

The exercise at a military base 10 miles east of the capital Tbilisi involved a mock attack by militants on an Iraqi village.

“Such exercises are important because Georgian servicemen are taking part in joint peacekeeping operations in various countries more and more often,” said Givi Iukuridze, chief of the Georgian general staff.

Georgia has about 150 troops in Iraq and is preparing to send more.

In recent years, Georgian forces have received training from the US military and equipment from Western countries.