International peacekeepers pay homage to Georgian troops on Afghan marathon
Tweet 
Share
Hundreds of foreign service members serving in the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan paid respects to Georgian troops wounded or killed in the mission by running a marathon in Kabul earlier today.
The Ministry of Defence of Georgia said up to 300 service members from 17 countries had taken part in the run at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in the city.
The sporting event was hosted by the Georgian Armed Forces command in Afghanistan, with senior representative of the mission Colonel Ioseb Nikoleishvili awarding various prizes to the winners.
Peacekeepers serving in Afghanistan run in the marathon organised by the Georgian military. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Georgia press office.
Units of the Georgian Armed Forces have served under the ongoing mission Resolute Support in Afghanistan since its launch in 2015.
Georgian troops also served in the earlier International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, contributing about 750 personnel to the peacekeeping effort.
Up to 300 service members from nations involved in the mission participated in the marathon. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Georgia press office.
Their service in the two Afghan missions has been recognised frequently by Georgian, foreign officials and military commanders.
In February, top United States Army commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson noted Georgia's participation in the mission. Their service has also been praised by the Minister of Defence of Georgia Levan Izoria and his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen.
A new group of Georgian troops has departed to serve in the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan following a formal ceremony involving officials and diplomats in Georgia’s west earlier today.
Top US commander in Afghanistan Army General John Nicholson thanked Georgia’s contribution to military efforts in Afghanistan yesterday as a non-NATO member state.
Germany's Minister of Defence Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen has sent big thanks to Georgian soldiers for repulsing an attack on the German Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif city in Afghanistan on November 10.
“We’re champions in fighting for world peace”
Georgia’s newly appointed Minister of Defence Levan Izoria has travelled to Afghanistan for his first official international trip to meet local officials and visit Georgian soldiers who are on a peacekeeping and security mission serving alongside NATO and EU troops.
Schoolchildren in eastern Afghanistan’s Bagh-eAlam village received presents from Georgian peacekeeping troops, who met the local kids earlier today in their first humanitarian mission.
A Georgian captain has been recognised for his contributions to an European Union peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic with a state award from Portugal, marking his successful work alongside fellow service members from European countries.