The ministry of national defense stated that several soldiers who are part of the Polish Military Contingent sent to Kabul to support in the construction of an air bridge are already present in the Afghanistan capital.
President Andrzej Duda recently signed a resolution to use a Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan comprised of up to 100 persons. The contingent is to be in use from Aug. 18 to Sept. 16, 2021. According to reports, the core of the mission are the soldiers from the GROM special unit.
The head of the National Security Bureau (BBN) Paweł Soloch informed that the 100 Polish soldiers are to secure the evacuation of Polish and allied country citizens.
“The use of the contingent is not meant to be for combat and its aim is to cooperate with other NATO forces in Afghanistan to support the evacuation effort at the Kabul airport,” he said.
He underlined that despite the NATO mission in Afghanistan coming to an end, Poland is co-responsible for the safety of Polish, allied and partner nation citizens present in Afghanistan. The safety of Afghani citizens who cooperated with Poland is also to be ensured.
On Wednesday, the first plane carrying Poles evacuated from Kabul with their families and colleagues landed in Warsaw. The second plane bearing evacuees arrived on Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that the Polish foreign and defense ministries have already formed lists of people in Kabul who can be accepted to Poland. The government is currently waiting for such lists to be prepared by the EU and NATO with the names of people who Poland could also aid.
The prime minister underlined that Poland is helping not only to evacuate Polish citizens and people who cooperated with Poland, but also the citizens from other allied countries.
Title image: According to reports, the core of the current mission to Afghanistan are soldiers from the GROM special unit, photo: AP Images – 2015.
