Spain Holds Military Drills in Melilla Amid Tensions with Morocco

According to the general command of Melilla, the soldiers of the second company of the first legion of the Tercio "Gran Capitan" carried out maneuvers in the autonomous city in order to prepare to face "any situation". As for the soldiers of the first company, they underwent a Continuous Instruction Day (JIC), carrying out a tactical approach march, defensive and offensive maneuvers, and perfecting their preparation "for any future challenge". At the end of the day, the legionnaires carried out a unit run, relays El Debate.

For its part, the anti-aircraft artillery group of the mixed artillery regiment RAMIX 32 carried out firing exercises and received training on area control practices. For several months, Spain has been carrying out surveillance and deterrence missions on the territories claimed by Morocco. "This surveillance of the land areas under Spanish sovereignty makes it possible to detect threats at an early stage and to provide an immediate response to any possible attack," said the general command of Melilla.

While the authorities of Ceuta and Melilla have expressed concerns and asked for security to be strengthened in the two Spanish enclaves in the face of Morocco’s annexationist desires, the Spanish government has reassured them, highlighting the excellent quality of relations between the two countries. "We have permanent cooperation in the fields of education, health, culture and the environment, and effective in the fight against terrorism and human trafficking," said José Manuel Albares, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs.