Gen. Dunford mourns loss of troops

KABUL): International Security Assistance Force Commander Gen. Joseph F. Dunford on Friday regretted the loss of foreign soldiers in a vehicle-borne suicide attack in Helmand province. 

“Yesterday we lost seven Georgian service members during a vehicle-borne IED attack on their base in Helmand. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen and those who served with them,” he said. 

He said in a statement from the NATO-led force said the fallen soldiers’ memories remained in their hearts and they would never forget their service and sacrifice.

“While this is a sad moment for the Georgian people and the coalition forces, we will not be deterred from our efforts to bring stability and security to the Afghan people,” he added.

Gen. Dunford acknowledged Georgia’s support of the ISAF mission had been steadfast and tangible and its soldiers had always stood out for their toughness and willingness to take on difficult missions. 

Georgia has more than 1,500 troops serving in Helmand, making it the largest non-NATO contributor to ISAF.

“The enemies of Afghanistan continue to use tactics like yesterday’s attack to try to slow the momentum of progress, but they will fail,” the American general said.

ISAF and Georgia remained committed to working together with Afghan forces to ensure a brighter future for the Afghan people, he concluded.

pr/mud

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