Omega Special Task Force

The Special Task Force "Omega" (Georgian: განსაკუთრებული დანიშნულების ქვედანაყოფი "ომეგა") is a Georgian élite Special Forces unit, one of the first such formations in the country, active since 1993.

History

The Omega unit was formed 1993 under the supervision of Georgia’s Information-Analytical and Reconnaissance Bureau, a successor to the Georgian branch of the former Soviet KGB (Committee for State Security), chaired by Irakli Batiashvili. The unit is specialized primarily on counter-terrorism and covert operations. It's operatives cooperate with US and British Special Forces which also provide the group’s special armaments. The Omega force was subordinated to the Georgian Ministry of State Security and was responsible for over 200 special operations in Georgia and foreign countries – most of them successful.

After the major reshuffle in Georgia’s military leadership following the Georgian civil war and the government’s temporary reorientation to Russia, the Omega group fell in disfavor, especially under the Security Minister Igor Giorgadze, who gave preference to the Russian-trained special forces unit ALFA. The Omega leadership was perceived to have been disloyal to the government. In September 1995, several of the Omega officers were accused of having been involved in the August 29, 1995 assassination attempt of Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgia’s head of state. Its commander, Nikoloz Kvezereli, was arrested and charged with organization of the attack on Shevardnadze.^[1] The court, however, did not find him guilty and sentenced him seven years’ imprisonment for the alleged abuse of office. Later, several other Omega officers were also arrested, and some of them were found dead in suspicious circumstances.^[2] Kvezereli was later pardoned and released. He was a member of the Parliament of Georgia from 1999 to 2008. General Zaza Gogava, a Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Georgia from 2006 to 2008, also served in the Omega group.

Since 2005, together with the fast response unit ALFA, the newly formed Omega Special Task Force is part of a joint anti terror headquarter of the Central Main Task Division of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The experienced members of these units are being intensively trained and prepared on highest level for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations by former operators of the elite unit and foreign advisors. The unit underwent many joint operations in corporation with US and UK Special Services, many times using US vehicles and gear. Admission criteria include several years of service in Army Special Forces units, high condition, a wide spectrum of combat, tactics and leadership skills. Georgian Counter Terror units took part in the 2008 South Ossetia War, inflicting heavy casaulties on Russo-Ossetian forces. They were mainly responsible for cleaning all villages which were controlled by South Ossetian militia. CT Commandos are credited with conducting the fierce attack on the mechanized column of Russian army commander Anatoly Khrulyov, who's battalion sized unit got almost completely destroyed. Quickly after the clashes, checkpoints were set up in and around the town of Igoeti to observe Russian forces until their withdrawal and quickly interact if necessary or ordered.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ Georgia: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2000. United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. February 23, 2001. Retrieved on 2008-05-31.
2. ^ Darchiashvili, David et al. (March 1999). The Army and Society in Georgia. Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development. Retrieved on 2008-05-31.