Transfer of command on Monday from the Inspectorate of Support for the Armed Forces to the Operational Command of the Armed Forces. General Zbigniew Tlok-Kosowski (L) and Commander of the Polish contingent in Mali, Lieutenant Adam Jangrot (R): photo - PAP/Pawel Supernak
The soldiers took part in a ceremony in Warsaw on Tuesday during which a symbolic transfer of command was made from the Inspectorate of Support for the Armed Forces to the Operational Command of the Armed Forces.
Among the five soldiers departing today is commander of the Polish mission Lieutenant Colonel Adam Jangrot, who has previously taken part in operations in Afghanistan, Chad and Congo.
“The task ahead will not be easy,” Jangrot said in an interview with the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
“At the beginning the biggest challenge will be acclimatisation,” he added, noting the searing temperatures in Mali.
All in all, twenty Polish soldiers will take part in the mission, with their operations officially expected to begin in April.
The Poles will be subordinate to the central command of the EUTM, and they will serve in Bamako, the capital of Mali, and at the Koulikoro military base near the city.
Their tasks will take in the logistical training of Malian troops, bomb disposal activities (EOD) and the loading and unloading of air transports.
Last December, France became the first to enter the conflict, responding to pleas from the Malian government after northern parts of the country were seized by Islamic insurgents.
France currently has 4000 troops taking part in the counter-insurgency.
There was heavy fighting in the Ifoghas mountains of northern Mali over the weekend, with close to 100 casualties.
Chadian soldiers fighting alongside Malian forces as part of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (Afisma) reportedly killed 65 Islamic insurgents.
A statement released by Chad's government confirmed that it had lost 23 of its own soldiers.
Meanwhile, Chad has pledged to raise its quota of soldiers to 2000. (nh)