Georgian unit base in Afghanistan shelled during Defence Minister visit

A military base in Afghanistan’s north came under shelling during a visit of the Minister of Defence of Georgia Levan Izoria earlier today, with no casualties reported.

The attack came as Izoria and Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major General Vladimer Chachibaia were visiting the base near the city of Kunduz.

Georgia’s Defence Ministry said two indirect fire shells had landed "near the base” after the high-profile visitors inspected a quick reaction platoon of the IV Mechanised Brigade, based at the location.

Personnel and armoured vehicles of the brigade on display for the visit. Photo: Georgia’s Defence Ministry press office.

No other threat was reported during the visit which continued after all-clear was sounded at the base.

The Kunduz base is used by the platoon of the Georgian brigade’s quick reaction company for their two-week rotation in the Resolute Support peacekeeping mission of NATO.

The Defence Minister and Chief of General Staff were joined by other Georgian commanders and representatives of German armed forces who oversee activities of the Georgian company-sized unit.

Also visiting a military base near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the Georgian officials and commanders met Brigadier General Wolf-Jürgen Stahl, the German commander of the Northern Command of the peacekeeping mission.

Involving a discussion on cooperation between Georgian and German forces, the meeting saw Brigadier General Stahl noting professionalism of the Georgian units and expressing his gratitude for their contribution to the mission.