Turkish soldiers to build temporary bridge in flood-hit Krosnowice, Poland
Footage from the site where a bridge is being built by the Turkish Armed Forces. (X Photo)
Nearly 50 soldiers from Türkiye arrived in Krosnowice, a village in the Klodzko County of Poland, to assist in rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the devastating floods in September 2024.
Their task is to construct a temporary bridge over the Biala Ladecka River, replacing the one washed away by the floodwaters.
Turkish troops join Operation Phoenix
The Turkish soldiers are part of the first of four international military contingents deployed under Operation Phoenix, an initiative to restore flood-damaged infrastructure and support affected communities.
The operation has seen collaboration between NATO allies, including German troops, who previously provided assistance.
Ambassador Rauf Alp Denktas of Türkiye emphasized the strong bond between the two nations.
“Türkiye could not remain indifferent to the tragedy in Poland, especially considering how swiftly Polish rescue teams came to our aid during our own earthquake disaster,” he said.
Engineering collaboration in Krosnowice
The construction effort involves Turkish forces working closely with Poland’s fifth Engineering Regiment from Szczecin and the first Sapper Regiment from Brzeg. Col. Krzysztof Jaroszek, commander of the task force overseeing the project, stated, “The Turkish forces have been integrated into the engineering task group. There will be full cooperation to ensure the project is completed efficiently.”
The temporary bridge, a Bailey bridge with a load capacity of 10 tons and a single traffic lane, is expected to take five to six days to construct. Polish road services had already prepared the necessary abutments for the structure.
Once completed, the bridge will reconnect the two parts of Krosnowice divided by the river.
Restoring access to flood-affected areas in Poland
The flood in September 2024 caused extensive damage across Lower Silesia, particularly in the Kłodzko Valley. Over 5,200 residential buildings were damaged or destroyed, and more than 162,000 residents were directly impacted. The estimated losses in the region exceed 5 billion zloty ($1.2 billion).
Deputy Kłodzko District Governor Piotr Marchewka praised the cooperation between Polish and Turkish forces, noting that the military bridge will facilitate the restoration of vehicular and pedestrian traffic by the following weekend.
“The bridge will be installed in a way that doesn’t hinder future investments in permanent infrastructure,” he added.
Before the bridge becomes operational, it will undergo load testing, ensuring safety for public use. Meanwhile, local road authorities will work on constructing access routes to the temporary crossing.
Türkiye’s support highlights NATO solidarity
Dominik Urbański, acting spokesperson for Poland‘s Territorial Defense Forces Command, highlighted the significance of Türkiye’s contribution to Operation Phoenix.
“These Turkish soldiers are the latest NATO allies to assist in rebuilding infrastructure. Their dedication underscores the strong bonds of alliance and mutual support,” he said.
