A plane carrying nearly 50 people evacuated from Afghanistan has landed in Warsaw. The group, which includes one Polish citizen, were evacuated from Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, by the Polish military and taken to neighbouring Uzbekistan. From there, a special LOT Polish Airlines flight, then carried them on to the Polish capital yesterday evening.
The group is mostly made up of Afghan nationals who worked with the Polish armed forces and diplomatic services during the 20-year war in the country.
It comes amid a massive international effort to evacuate Afghans who may be threatened under the new Taliban government which swept to power last week as US and allied troops leave the country.
Posting on Facebook yesterday afternoon, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki thanked all those involved in Polish evacuation efforts and said the country would continue to assist allies in theirs.
Dulkiewicz: Gdansk Ready to Help
In Gdansk, Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz said on Wednesday that the city was prepared to help with resettling Afghan refugees.
According to the city website gdansk.pl, the mayor said „solidarity with the abused and persecuted” was in the city’s „DNA”.
Gdansk is a member of the International Cities of Refuge Network and already accommodates people fleeing persecution, most notably those from neighbouring Belarus.
Poland Deploys Troops to Belarus Border Amid Migrant Surge
Poland’s Ministry of National Defence has announced it is sending more than 900 troops to the country’s border with Belarus.
The Polish army troops are expected to assist the Polish border guard in patroling the 418km-long frontier.
The deployment aims to counter a surge in illegal migration across the border, which the Polish government claims Belarus is encouraging.
According to government figures, more than 2000 people have attempted to cross the border illegally this month alone.
Earlier in the month, Poland and Lithuania jointly accused Belarus of „hybrid warfare” in sending large numbers of migrants over the border, possibly as retaliation against EU sanctions on the authoritarian Belarusian regime.
Wałęsa Hospitalised
Solidarity movement leader and former Polish president Lech Wałęsa has reportedly been hospitalised this week, due to complications of diabetes.
The Gdansk native and Nobel Peace Prize recipient revealed on social media on Tuesday that he was receiving treatment for a diabetic foot. There are no reports that his life is in danger.
Kashubia Marks Flag Day
The day was marked with black and gold Kashubian flags around the city, including a massive 40m² flag raised on the hill of Gradowa Góra, overlooking the city, along with the Kashubian anthem – Zemia Rodnô, meaning 'Homeland’.
The Kashubians are a minority ethnic group native to Pomerania. Though closely related to the Polish, the Kashubians have a distinct culture and language, celebrated yearly on March 19th (Kashubian Unity Day) and August 18th (Flag
Day).
Weather
A mix of cloudy and sunny spells going into this afternoon with occasional showers in some parts.
Feeling cool and breezy today with temperatures struggling to reach 20°C, 67°F, with a gusty wind blowing in from the west.
Remaining cool and overcast tomorrow with a chance for some showers in the afternoon.
