Georgia–Iraq relations
{{Infobox Bilateral relations|Georgia–Iraq|Georgia|Iraq}}
Georgia—Iraq relations refers to the bilateral relations of the Republic of Georgia and the Republic of Iraq. Georgia does not have an embassy in Baghdad,[http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/Iraq List of embassies and consulates in Iraq] but Iraq does have an embassy in Tbilisi, the Georgian capitol.[http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=641 List of embassies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116143241/http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=641 |date=2012-11-16 }}. Georgian Foreign Ministry.
Role of Georgia in the Iraq War
{{main|Role of Georgia in the Iraq War}}
File:13th Georgian Army Battalion in Ali Shaheen, Iraq 2008-03-07 2.jpg on a clearing mission in Al Shaheen, Iraq, in March 2007.]]
Georgia joined the Iraq War as part of the United States-led coalition in August 2003. By 2008, Georgia had deployed 2,300 troops in Iraq, becoming the third largest contributor{{cite encyclopedia |last=Lansford |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts |first=Tom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U05OvsOPeKMC&dq=Georgian+Iraq+2008&pg=PA481 |editor=Spencer C. Tucker |publisher=ABC-CLIO |title=Georgia, Role in Iraq War|volume=2 |location=Santa Barbara |pages=480–481 |year=2010 |isbn=9781851099481 }}{{cite news|last=Liklikadze|first=Koba|title=Iraq: As Third-Largest Contingent, Georgia Hopes To Show Its Worth|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1078614.html|access-date=16 June 2013|date=September 10, 2007|agency=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}} to the coalition forces in the Iraq War. In addition, the country provided a battalion of approximately 550 troops to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq. During the Russia–Georgia war in August 2008, Georgia recalled all of its forces from Iraq. The U.S. Air Force provided logistical support for the withdrawal. On August 10–11, 2008, 16 C-17 Globemasters shuttled around 2,000 Georgian soldiers and supplies back to Georgia, drawing a sharp protest from Russia.{{cite news|last=Hoffman|first=Michael|title=U.S. takes Georgian troops home from Iraq|url=http://www.armytimes.com/article/20080811/NEWS/808110302/U-S-takes-Georgian-troops-home-from-Iraq|access-date=16 June 2013|newspaper=Army Times|date=August 11, 2008}} The U.S. officials responded that the assistance to the Georgian redeployment to Georgia was part of a prior agreement that transport would be provided in case of an emergency and that the Russians had been informed about the flights in advance.{{cn|date=September 2022}} In total, Georgia suffered three combat fatalities (all in 2008) and at least 19 servicemen were injured in Iraq. In addition, one Georgian serviceman died in a car accident and one committed suicide, both in 2007.{{cite news|title=Georgian Soldier Killed, Another Wounded in Afghanistan|url=http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22642|access-date=16 June 2013|newspaper=Civil Georgia|date=September 5, 2010}}{{cite web|title=Military Deaths by Country: Georgia|url=http://icasualties.org/iraq/Nationality.aspx?hndQry=GE|publisher=Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. iCasualties.org|access-date=16 June 2013|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705192926/http://icasualties.org/Iraq/Nationality.aspx?hndQry=GE|url-status=dead}}
==Increasing cooperation==
An air route was opened between Georgia and Iraq in 2013, with Iraqi Airways reportedly making two flights a week to Tbilisi.[http://www.oneiraqidinar.com/the-re-opening-of-air-route-between-iraq-and-georgia/ The re-opening of the air route between Iraq and Georgia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312045848/http://www.oneiraqidinar.com/the-re-opening-of-air-route-between-iraq-and-georgia/ |date=2017-03-12 }}. Oneiraqidinar.com. Published July 2, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2015. Later that year, the Iraqi ambassador in Tbilisi met with the Georgian foreign affairs minister, where the two discussed increasing cooperation and ties between the two countries. The Georgian foreign minister wished Iraq stability and progress.[http://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/iraq-s-ambassador-to-tbilisi-meet-secretary-of-foreign-affairs-of-georgia/ Iraq's Ambassador to Tbilisi meet Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Georgia]. Iraqi News. Ahmed Hussien. Published July 2, 2013. Retrieved 15 May, 2015.
==See also==
{{Portal|Georgia (country)|Iraq|Politics}}