NATO-Backed Exercise Unites Spanish and Moroccan Forces in Black Sea Maneuvers

At the invitation of the United States and Ukraine, the Spanish and Moroccan military will collaborate for a few days as part of the military exercise called Sea Breeze taking place in the Black Sea. This is one of the largest maneuvers organized in the region, bringing together nearly 5,000 soldiers, 32 military ships and about forty aircraft, reports Vozpópuli. The organizers’ objective is to "improve interoperability" and "collaboration" between the participating armed forces, and to "strengthen maritime security and peace" in the region.

To read: Morocco Excludes Spain from ’African Lion’ Military Exercise Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Morocco is participating in this exercise for the first time, while Spain is participating for the fourth time, after 2014, 2016 and 2020. The two countries will work together for the first time since the outbreak of the diplomatic and migration crisis that occurred in April and May. Good relations with Washington have favored Morocco’s participation in these maneuvers, the same source believes, recalling the joint organization by the two countries of the African Lion, another major military exercise that took place largely in Morocco this year, without the presence of the Spanish forces who were not invited by Morocco, diplomatic crisis obliges!

To read: US and Morocco to Lead Massive ’African Lion’ Military Exercise in June

In addition to the United States, Ukraine, Spain and Morocco participating in Sea Breeze 2021, the exercise also brings together troops from Albania, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Senegal, South Korea, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.

"The Russian Ministry of Defense will closely monitor the preparation and conduct of the Sea Breeze maneuvers by Ukraine and the United States, with the participation of NATO countries, and if necessary, it will react appropriately," said General Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense spokesman, who expressed his displeasure with the holding of these exercises in the Black Sea. "Sea Breeze 21 has nothing new, except that the number of participating countries is greater than in previous years and the scenarios are more complex!" reassure the organizers for their part.