Iraq–Poland relations

The Iraqi-Polish relations is the official relationship between Iraq and Poland. Iraq has an embassy held in Warsaw. Poland has an embassy in Baghdad.

Iraqi-Polish relations

Iraq
Poland

History

1940s

In 1942, during the evacuation of Polish civilians from the USSR in World War II, some Polish military personnel under General Władysław Anders, were evacuated to Iraq, while some Polish civilians went to refugee camps in Iran.[1]

1980s

In the 1980s, Poland stayed neutral in the Iran–Iraq War.[2]

1990s
Main article: Operation Simoom

In August 1990, following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, Polish intelligence agents rescued six U.S. intelligence officers out of Iraq (via Turkey). At the time, several thousand Poles were in Iraq working on construction projects, given them a greater ability to avoid detection by Iraqi intelligence. Poland's assistance to the U.S. during the Persian Gulf War, which was revealed in 1995, led to closer U.S.-Poland relations.[3][4]

Iraq War
Main article: Polish involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Poland participated in the U.S.-led 2003 invasion of Iraq, sending about 200 special forces initially.[5] During the Iraq War, Poland was responsible for the Polish zone in Iraq, between Baghdad and Basra; this was one of the four occupation zones in Iraq at the time.[5] Within Poland, there was some disappointment over a sense "that Poland derived too little benefit from its deployment: its efforts to end the visa requirement for the U.S. were rebuffed, and its military complained that it did not get as much financial assistance as it had expected."[5] In 2006, more than 10,500 Polish troops were in Iraq. At the end of 2008, all 900 Polish troops remaining in Iraq were withdrawn, with about a dozen Polish military advisors remaining.[5][6]

Anti-ISIL coalition

After the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant threatened Iraq in 2014, Poland provided humanitarian aid to Iraq[7][8] and gave political support to Operation Inherent Resolve,[7] but hesitated for nearly two years before joining the anti-ISIL military campaign in June 2016.[7] Poland has been an active member of the anti-ISIL coalition since.[9]

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See also

References
  1. The Polish Deportees of World War II: Recollections of Removal to the Soviet Union and Dispersal Throughout the World (ed. Tadeusz Piotrowski: McFarland, 2004), pp. 10, 97.
  2. The Soviet Union and the Middle East (Vol. 11), Soviet and East European Research Centre of the Hebrew University (1986), p. 29.
  3. John Pomfret, Polish Agents Rescued 6 U.S. Spies from Iraq, Washington Post (January 17, 1995).
  4. During Gulf War, Polish Agents Saved 6 American Spies, Associated Press (January 18, 1995).
  5. Wayne C. Thompson (2012). Nordic, Central and Southeastern Europe 2012 (12th ed.). Stryker-Post. p. 330.
  6. "Polish Military Marks Close of Iraq Mission". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. October 3, 2008.
  7. Fredrik Doeser. "Historical experiences, strategic culture, and strategic behavior: Poland in the anti-ISIS coalition". Defence Studies. 18 (4): 454–473.
  8. Trevithick, Joseph (19 August 2014). "Poland Is Back in Iraq". War is Boring – via Medium.
  9. "New strategy in the fight against ISIS - What role for Poland?". The Casimir Pulaski Foundation. 12 February 2016.
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