TBILISI -- Georgia's defense minister has announced that three Georgian soldiers were killed and several injured in a combined attack by militants on their base in southern Afghanistan.
A press statement by the international coalition in Afghanistan confirmed that three coalition soldiers were killed on May 13 in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.
"A combined insurgent attack took place at the base, using an explosive device that was loaded on a truck, driven by a suicide bomber," Irakli Alasania told a special press briefing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. "The Georgian soldiers repelled the attack, all terrorists were killed on the spot and, at this moment, they are in full control of the operational situation in the zone that falls under their responsibility."
Georgia's 42nd batallion is based in southern Helmand Province.
It was the second bloodiest encounter for Georgian forces in Afghanistan, after a September 2010 attack that left four troops dead.
In all, 22 Georgian military personnel have been killed in Afghanistan.
With some 1,600 troops, Georgia has the largest non-NATO contingent in Afghanistan.
Also on May 13, the new NATO supreme allied commander in Europe, U.S. General Philip Breedlove, took over command at NATO military headquarters in the Belgian town of Mons.
Breedlove said that NATO members must not reduce their military efforts as the alliance prepares to withdrawn combat forces from Afghanistan at the end of 2014.
"Formidable challenges continue to loom on the horizon," Breedlove said.
Although the alliance is on track to hand over security operations to Afghan forces by the deadline, Breedlove said a "successful transition" will be "extremely challenging."
Breedlove took over the post of supreme allied commander in Europe from U.S. Admiral John Stavridis, who held the position since 2009.
Georgia's defense minister has announced that three Georgian soldiers were killed and several injured in a combined attack by militants in southern Afghanistan.
Irakli Alasania made the announcement at a special press briefing in Tbilisi on May 13.
He said militants using small arms and a truck loaded with explosives launched the attack on the base of Georgia's 42nd battalion in Helmand Province shortly after 4:00 p.m. local time.
The Georgians eventually killed all the attackers and are in complete control of the area, according to Alasania.
It was the second-bloodiest encounter for Georgian forces in Afghanistan, after a September 2010 attack that left four troops dead.
In all, 22 Georgian military personnel have been killed in Afghanistan.
With some 1,600 troops, Georgia has the largest non-NATO contingent in Afghanistan.
A press statement by the international coalition in Afghanistan confirmed that three coalition soldiers were killed on May 13 in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.
"A combined insurgent attack took place at the base, using an explosive device that was loaded on a truck, driven by a suicide bomber," Irakli Alasania told a special press briefing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. "The Georgian soldiers repelled the attack, all terrorists were killed on the spot and, at this moment, they are in full control of the operational situation in the zone that falls under their responsibility."
Georgia's 42nd batallion is based in southern Helmand Province.
It was the second bloodiest encounter for Georgian forces in Afghanistan, after a September 2010 attack that left four troops dead.
In all, 22 Georgian military personnel have been killed in Afghanistan.
With some 1,600 troops, Georgia has the largest non-NATO contingent in Afghanistan.
Also on May 13, the new NATO supreme allied commander in Europe, U.S. General Philip Breedlove, took over command at NATO military headquarters in the Belgian town of Mons.
Breedlove said that NATO members must not reduce their military efforts as the alliance prepares to withdrawn combat forces from Afghanistan at the end of 2014.
"Formidable challenges continue to loom on the horizon," Breedlove said.
Although the alliance is on track to hand over security operations to Afghan forces by the deadline, Breedlove said a "successful transition" will be "extremely challenging."
Breedlove took over the post of supreme allied commander in Europe from U.S. Admiral John Stavridis, who held the position since 2009.
Georgia's defense minister has announced that three Georgian soldiers were killed and several injured in a combined attack by militants in southern Afghanistan.
Irakli Alasania made the announcement at a special press briefing in Tbilisi on May 13.
He said militants using small arms and a truck loaded with explosives launched the attack on the base of Georgia's 42nd battalion in Helmand Province shortly after 4:00 p.m. local time.
The Georgians eventually killed all the attackers and are in complete control of the area, according to Alasania.
It was the second-bloodiest encounter for Georgian forces in Afghanistan, after a September 2010 attack that left four troops dead.
In all, 22 Georgian military personnel have been killed in Afghanistan.
With some 1,600 troops, Georgia has the largest non-NATO contingent in Afghanistan.
