Breakaway Abkhazia Denounces Noble Partner Military Drills in Georgia

The so called Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia has released a statement regarding the US-led military drills in Georgia – Noble Partner 2018.

The statement reads that the full-scale military actions are being conducted with the direct support and funding of the United States and other Western countries, and note they encourage the process of further militarization of Georgia.

“We are deeply convinced that the build-up of Georgia's military-technical potential directly threatens the national security of the Republic of Abkhazia and undermines the foundations of peace and stability throughout the South Caucasus region,” de facto MFA stated.

The occupation regime believes that the policy of the Western coalition countries, aimed at providing comprehensive military assistance to Georgia, could provoke another round of tensions in the region and seriously damage the work of the existing international format aimed at resolving conflicts with Georgia.

“As a symmetrical response to the destructive actions of Georgia and its Western partners, the Abkhaz side intends to intensify military-technological cooperation with the Russian Federation in order to ensure the defense and security of the Republic of Abkhazia,” the statement reads.

The so called ministry assigns all responsibility for the possible escalation of tensions in the region to Georgia and its western partners.

The multinational exercise officially opened in Vaziani military airfield on August 1 and is intended to support and enhance the readiness and interoperability of Georgia, the US and participating nations during a multinational training operation. 

The drills provide leaders at all levels the opportunity to exercise their staffs in command and control, and execution of combined planning for complex joint operations. 

This year, the drills involve 1300 Georgians and 1170 US soldiers, as well as 500 soldiers from 13 other countries:  Georgia, USA, UK, Germany, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

By Thea Morrison

Photo: MOD

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