"Polish Air Force aircraft have taken off to support the evacuation of Polish citizens from the Middle East region,” the Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said on X shortly after 6 a.m. Warsaw time.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday he had decided to use military aircraft to help evacuate Polish citizens from the Persian Gulf region amid growing tensions in the Middle East. The move was subsequently approved by President Karol Nawrocki.
The president, who serves as the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, signed an order authorizing the use of the Polish Military Contingent Middle East to evacuate Polish citizens in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, state news agency PAP reported.
Under the order, from March 5 to March 31, up to 150 soldiers may be engaged in the evacuation of Poles from Middle Eastern countries, in particular those requiring medical assistance.
The evacuation will be carried out using military aircraft in cooperation with state institutions responsible for citizens’ security, with the effort coordinated by the Operational Command.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz earlier said that two Boeing 737 aircraft with military crews would take part.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP
Click on the audio player above to listen to a report by Agnieszka Łaszczuk.