What role for Poland in anti-Islamic State coalition?

French President Francois Hollande (L) and others watch as US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (2-L) before a family photo as part of the International Conference for Peace and Security in Iraq, at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, 15 September 2014. The conference on Iraq's security comes after the execution of a third Western hostage by the Islamic State group. EPA/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

“Poland does not envisage participation of its soldiers in military operations, though it intends to politically support the coalition and organize humanitarian aid,” said MOD head Tomasz Siemoniak, on Friday.

US president Barack Obama has declared firm steps of his administration to deal with the Islamic State, presently considered the most threatening international terrorist organization.

As Slawek Szefs reports, though announcing immediate and effective measures to counter Islamic State actions, especially in Iraq and Syria, President Obama pledged to refrain from sending American ground forces to fight in a foreign land in favour of conducting air strikes to help Iraqi army efforts against the jihad fighters.

Though the government in Warsaw says it will not be taking part in air strikes or sending troops into battle, General Roman Polko, former commander of GROM - Poland's flagship special forces unit, draws attention to president Obama's declaration that the United States will stand at the helm of a broad international coalition, the aim of which will be completely eradicating the Islamic State.

"Whether we like it or not, we will be engaged in this coalition, because in 2015 Poland is to assume the command of NATO special forces,” General Polko argues, adding that he cannot imagine this kind of operation without making use of the best possible tool such as special forces.