Iraqi Forces Shine in Global Competition

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced today, Thursday, that members of the special forces successfully scaled the tenth highest mountain peak in the world during a global competition held in the Russian Federation, with participation from 15 countries. The statement from the defense ministry said, "The Iraqi Special Forces team - the first team, reached the summit of Mount Elbrus, which is located in the western Caucasus mountain range in the Russian Federation." Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in the Caucasus, as well as in Russia and Europe, with an elevation of 5,642 meters. It ranks tenth globally, with temperatures dropping to 30 degrees below zero and complete visibility loss both day and night, along with a 50 percent reduction in oxygen levels. The mountain is also considered one of the most dangerous elevations in the world.