These formed the fourth of the larger military contributions to the forces arrayed against Iraq (with the United States, Great Britain and Australia).

Fearing a repeat of the destruction of Iraqi oil wells in the Gulf War by Saddam Hussein, this operation aimed to prevent similar acts that would have led to pollution of the region and loss of infrastructure.

[1] Polish special forces performed the operation of securing the port of Umm Qasr.

Investigations by the Polish authorities came to the conclusion that the persons responsible for the scandal were low level commanders; Wojskowe Służby Informacyjne, the Polish Army's intelligence service, had not verified their claims before they were leaked to the press.

[citation needed] The Foreign Minister of Poland, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, stated in July 2003, "We have never hidden our desire for Polish oil companies to finally have access to sources of commodities"[2] and was criticized for that by many fellow politicians and Polish popular opinion.