Georgians will aid Americans in Iraq

159 Georgian servicemen are scheduled to leave for Iraq on Wednesday.

Soldiers of the 16th mountain battalion will serve, supposedly, in Baghdad and Tikrit.

Their main task will be protection of military bases and other units of the International coalition. In addition, Georgian servicemen will be on guard at the main entrance gates; they will also be involved in patrolling residential areas, reports RIA “Novosti”.

Georgian servicemen, who have all been trained by American instructors, can take all the necessary actions when dealing with potential terrorists as well as take action in disarming civilians.

They are also entitled to activate emergency coalition forces in case at least one of the coalition sub-units gets attacked.

The Georgian battalion is scheduled to leave for the “hot spot” in a company of father David.

According to Georgian Minister of Defense, more than 50 of Georgian soldiers are expected to fly to Iraq in the course of the month. In addition, Georgian authorities have already addressed UN with an offer to expand Georgian presence in Iraq.