Omega Special Task Force

The Omega unit was formed 1992 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 was specialized primarily in counter-terrorism and covert operations, also oriented to counter organized crime and illicit trade.

[1] 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 Alpha.

In September 1995, several of the Alpha officers were accused of having been involved in the August 29, 1995 assassination attempt of Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgia's head of state.

[5] General Zaza Gogava, a former Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces from 2006 to 2008, also served in the Omega group.