During the night of November 18 the Kandahar Military Base where soldiers of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces are serving underwent an attack. Small damage was done to the infrastructure but no one was injured.
"Even though Special Operations Forces soldiers are training the Afghan security forces, their lives are still in constant risk. Our soldiers are prepared well for such situations but this time our allies' active base protection means worked and effect of the attacks was minimised. I wish on the occasion of the oncoming centenary of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for our soldiers on multinational deployments to be able to carry out their duty safely," Chief of the Defence Staff Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras.
Missiles were fired at the military base. Metal parts of one of the missiles hit a container but no soldiers were inside. Such incidents are not a rarity for the Kandahar Military Base but soldiers are protected by protection means dedicated to the base and individually to prevent injuries.
The Special Operations Advisors Group formed by Lithuanian Special Operations Forces soldiers joined the NATO-led multinational operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan on 24 April 2018. The Group is training, advising and assisting local Afghan security forces alongside our allies.
Currently roughly 50 Lithuanian soldiers are deployed to NATO's Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan.
Aside from the operation in Afghanistan, Lithuanians also serve in operations in Iraq, Kosovo, Ukraine, Mali, Central African Republic, Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean.
Photos: courtesy of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces.
PAO for the Lithuanian Armed Forces Defence Staff Maj Tomas Balkus
+370 5 219 6401, +370 686 28035, tomas.balkus@mil.lt
