Georgian servicemen injured in Iraq will undergo treatment in US

Four sappers from the Georgian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Iraq have been transferred from a hospital in Kuwait to the United States for medical treatment. The Georgian Defense Ministry stated such a decision had been taken upon the recommendation of their US colleagues.

On August 21, as a result of a fire broken up in their vehicle, Lieutenant Colonel Gocha Shavgulidze, Majors Fridon Sopromadze and Kakha Dzhikia, and Captain Georgy Dzhanelidze received first- and second-degree burns. The incident occurred on the territory of the training ground of the 3rd battalion of the 62nd armored troops regiment of the US army stationed currently in Iraq. The most severe burns were sustained by Gocha Shavgulidze. However, doctors say they do not worry for his life at present.

The Georgian Defense Ministry added that a Georgian military doctor accompanied the sappers in their trip to the United States. After recovery, the Georgian servicemen are expected to continue their service within the peacekeeping contingent deployed near Saddam Hussein?s hometown of Tikrit. The Georgian peacekeeping unit has been staying in Iraq since early August. It includes special-purpose troops, military medics and a group of sappers. The composite company of Georgian peacekeepers operates there under the US military command and is expected to stay in Iraq for six months.