BAGHDAD, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Georgian troops in Iraq were heading home amid a serious confrontation with Russia in a breakaway region of Georgia.

　　"Flights have in fact begun today and Georgian forces are redeploying," said Maj. John C. Hall, a spokesman of the U.S. military in Iraq.

　　He said the United States had already been shuffling forces in Wassit province and the result of the withdrawal can be handled.

　　Georgia had about 2,000 troops stationed in Iraq, making it a major contributor to the U.S.-led multinational forces here.

　　Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili announced Friday that the troops in Iraq would be brought home following armed conflicts with Russian peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia.

　　The region, which borders Russia, has been seeking independence.

　　Russia on Friday dispatched an armored column into South Ossetia after Georgia allegedly launched a massive attack to crush separatists.

　　Moscow said it had to act to protect its civilians in the region, where most residents hold Russian passports.

　　Georgia, which blamed the rebels for provoking the fight, accused Russia of launching air attacks on its military bases and key facilities for shipping oil to the West.