“Evacuation as a last resort.” The Ministry of National Defense is monitoring the situation of the Polish contingents
Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Sunday that he had received reports from operational commanders about the situation in the Middle East. He assured that all procedures in the Polish military contingents in that area are “implemented at the highest level.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said during Sunday's press conference before his departure to the USA that he had received reports from operational commanders about the situation in the Middle East.
– I have just concluded a meeting with the operational command, representatives of the Military Intelligence Service, the head of the Military Intelligence Service regarding the current situation in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the Polish military contingents in Iraq and Lebanon. I received reports from the operational command regarding what is happening in the Middle East, he said.
Soldier safety. Procedures at the highest level
He emphasized that all procedures in Polish military contingents in the Middle East are implemented “at the highest level, aimed at protecting soldiers with increased safety standards.” He noted that Poland cooperates with allies because Polish soldiers serve as part of the UN mission in Lebanon and NATO in Iraq.
The Deputy Prime Minister also informed that on Sunday, at the initiative of the USA, he talked with the deputy head of the Pentagon, Elbridge Colby
– The main topic, one of the most important, of the conversation with Secretary Colby was the coordination regarding Polish military contingentsas well as the information provided regarding the entire operation. Poland, of course, does not take part in these activities. Poland cares above all, and this is our most important task today, for its citizens, for its soldiers, for the entire mission, which must be carried out as best as possible in difficult conditions, he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also emphasized that he had arranged “ongoing contact” with Colby. – Tomorrow (Monday – PAP) there will most likely be a conversation within the E5 group, the E5 defense ministers, i.e. Poland, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy – he added.
Evacuation scenarios. Full readiness of the Air Force
When asked about Poles currently in the Middle East, the minister reminded that the airspace over many countries in the region is closed. – We are in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Air Force, the forces of our military, have proven their worth in evacuation many times, for example during the last crisis a few months ago. And they are always on full alert, he assured.
He also added that “if there is a need, there will be such a declaration and preparation on the part of the Air Force, the entire army and the General Staff.” – I received such reports from the commanders, from General (Marek – PAP) Sokołowski, about full readiness. If we receive any request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are able to implement it immediately, emphasized Kosiniak-Kamysz.
When asked about the government's position on the conflict in the Middle East, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that “today our most important task is to focus on helping the citizens of the Republic of Poland and taking care of the Polish military contingents in the Middle East, just like any other military contingent, but here, of course, with the implemented security procedures.”
When asked whether a scenario was being considered in which the Polish contingents present in that region would have to be withdrawn, he replied: “every scenario is taken into account.” – Prudent planners, including the Operational Command, take every scenario into account and there are plans prepared for every scenario. The most important thing for a soldier is to fulfill his duties towards the homeland, and for the homeland – to take care of the soldiers, he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister announced that the purpose of his visit to the USA is to participate in the ceremony of posthumous awarding of Sergeant Michael Ollis with the Medal of Honor at the White House. He added that Captain Karol Cierpica and his family, who were saved in Afghanistan in 2013 by Ollis, are flying with him to the USA. He covered the wounded Pole with his own body. The soldiers cooperated in the defense of the base during an attack on it in the Afghan province of Ghazni.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also recalled that he asked President Karol Nawrocki to “award the highest distinction also from the Republic of Poland” – the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for Ollis.
The Polish Military Contingent in Lebanon and the Polish Military Contingent in Iraq are stationed in the Middle East. The first of them are soldiers operating as part of the UN UNIFIL mission; according to the decision of the President of the Republic of Poland, there are currently up to 250 of them. In turn, there are up to 350 soldiers of the Polish Army stationed in Iraq; they operate as part of the Global Coalition Forces against Islamic State and are primarily involved in training the Iraqi Security Forces. According to the president's decision, soldiers of PMC Iraq can also operate in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait.
The attack by Israel and the United States on Iran began on Saturday morning. US President Donald Trump declared that the US military had launched a “major combat operation” and announced that Iran would not acquire nuclear weapons and called on the Iranian nation to take power in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, announced that the US-Israeli attack on Iran will last as long as necessary.
Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday that Iran's supreme spiritual and political leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in his office on Saturday morning. Earlier, the US and Israeli authorities announced his death. (PAP)
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