The sixth rotation of Polish forces in Afghanistan has begun with the departure of the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade.
 
The brigade left the south-eastern town of Rzeszow for its mission in Afghanistan, Tuesday afternoon. At an official departure ceremony, representatives from Poland’s Ministry of Defence and army officers were in attendance.
 
The brigade are taking part in the sixth rotation of Polish forces in Afghanistan, and numbers 1200 soldiers, who will come back to Poland in six months’ time.
 
The highlander soldiers have been in training since November last year for Poland’s continuing effort in the troubled region.
 
Colonel Zurawski, second-in-command of the Brigade, has said that many of the soldiers are veterans of operations in Iraq and Kosovo.
 
The main aim of the highlanders’ mission in Afghanistan is to protect communication routes and to help prepare Afghan forces to take control over the safety of their country. (jb)