Spain Bolsters Military Presence on Disputed Islands Near Moroccan Coast

Morocco claims these islands that Spain considers part of its territory. The kingdom has authorized several companies in recent weeks to install fish farms in the Zaffarines islands, which has been denounced by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To read: Spain Begins Exhumation of Military and Civilian Remains from Al Hoceima Rocks

It is in this context that a delegation from the Spanish army command, led by General Enrique Millán Martínez, visited the personnel deployed on these islands to check the morale of the troops and see how to strengthen their material capabilities and improve their living and working conditions, reports Vox Populi.

Spain has always maintained a military presence on these territories, despite the advanced deterioration of certain infrastructures over time. This is the case of the cemeteries of Vélez de la Gomera and Al Hoceima, where the army has undertaken to exhume the bodies and transfer them to the Immaculate Conception cemetery in Melilla.

To read: Spain’s PP Urges Government Action on Moroccan Fish Farm Expansion Near Melilla

But the Spanish army is determined to strengthen its capabilities on the Spanish rocks and islands located near the Moroccan coasts, the same source specifies, noting that relay antennas have been installed to improve communications between these units and their bases in Spain and above all, to avoid technical interference with Morocco. The buildings housing the military personnel on detachment in these territories are also threatened with ruin. A budget of 170,000 euros has been allocated to rehabilitate this infrastructure, we are assured.