Polish officials claim that Belarus, under Russian influence, is sending migrants to Europe through underground tunnels, potentially involving Middle Eastern experts in their design.
According to Polish officials quoted in the British newspaper Telegraph, Belarus, which is under the influence of Russia, is reportedly facilitating the movement of migrants into Europe through a network of underground tunnels. These claims assert that Belarus has sought the assistance of so-called experts from the Middle East, who possess significant expertise in constructing such tunnels. The exact groups involved in this operation remain uncertain, but analysts suggest the likelihood of involvement from Kurdish fighters, the Islamic State, or Iran-backed groups.
Poland emphasizes that these mysterious Middle Eastern specialists have been sought by Belarus as part of an effort to find innovative and clandestine methods to smuggle migrants across its borders. The situation follows a troubling backdrop, where Belarus has previously been accused of waging hybrid warfare by attempting to flood the eastern borders of Poland with tens of thousands of migrants. This tactic is perceived as a strategy to exert pressure on European nations amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region.
The implications of these developments raise significant concerns not just for Poland, but for the broader European Union as well, as the potential for an increased influx of migrants through such channels could exacerbate existing tensions and challenges related to migration policies. As the situation unfolds, it underscores the intersection of migration, national security, and international relations in the context of modern hybrid warfare.
