Spain fears an “imminent” Moroccan action against its islets
Spain is strengthening its military presence on the islets it controls off the coast of Morocco. Spanish officials reportedly fear imminent Moroccan action amid heightened tensions between Rabat and Madrid.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence has strengthened protection of the Chafarinas Islands and the Al Hoceïma and Badis rocks, reports The Objective. These tiny territories, located a few metres or kilometres from the Moroccan coastline, are permanently occupied by the Spanish army and claimed by Morocco.
The decision is reportedly linked to fears within Spanish services of possible Moroccan action in the short term. However, no public evidence makes it possible to assert that Rabat is actually preparing an operation. Madrid has also not officially communicated the exact nature of the reinforcement undertaken.
On Bladi.net : Ceuta: Judge Opens Investigation into “Hybrid Warfare” and Directly Implicates Morocco
This concern comes after the crisis of 30 and 31 July in Sebta and the multiplication of Moroccan statements regarding the territories controlled by Spain in North Africa. The Spanish justice system is also investigating a possible “hybrid war” scenario, without having established at this stage the existence of an order issued by the Moroccan government.
Just over one hundred soldiers deployed
The Chafarinas Islands are guarded by around forty Spanish legionnaires. A comparable contingent is stationed on the Al Hoceïma rock, while around 25 soldiers are stationed at Badis. In total, just over one hundred soldiers protect these positions under the authority of the general command of Melilla.
Their supplies depend on Spanish Navy vessels and a helicopter detachment. Margarita Robles had already supervised these garrisons by videoconference at the beginning of September, according to Cadena SER. The choice of date, corresponding to the official day of Ceuta, was interpreted as a message addressed to Rabat.
The case of Badis is particularly sensitive. The rock is connected to Moroccan territory by a strip of sand only a few dozen metres wide, forming one of the shortest land borders in the world. Its immediate proximity to Morocco makes its defence much more difficult than that of the other islets.
On Bladi.net : A Famous American Editorialist Calls on Spain to Return Sebta to Morocco
The precedent of Perejil Island also remains present in Spanish minds. In July 2002, Moroccan soldiers had stationed themselves there before being expelled in a Spanish military operation. Nearly a quarter of a century later, Madrid fears that a new territorial crisis could be added to the tensions already open around Sebta and Melilla.
