Spain-Morocco Tensions Flare Over Tiny Disputed Island in 2002 Crisis

In 2002, Spain and Morocco experienced a serious crisis over the Perejil islet, this small uninhabited territory of barely 0.15 km² located 250 meters off the Moroccan coast. On July 11, 2002, twelve soldiers from the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie landed on the islet, hoisted two Moroccan flags and set up tents. Alerted, the Spanish Guardia Civil sent agents to the islet to demand the withdrawal of the Moroccan soldiers, but the latter refused and threatened them with weapons, recalls La Razon.

The reaction of the Spanish authorities did not wait. The Office of Diplomatic Information (OID) asked Morocco to evacuate the premises, but Rabat categorically refused, claiming that the islet is an integral part of its territory. Yet, the media specifies, Francisco Franco and Hassan II had agreed in 1963 that the Perejil islet would remain a no-man’s land, without military or civilian presence on either side. Morocco has challenged this agreement.

After an ultimatum that expired on July 17, 2002, Spain launched Operation Romeo-Sierra on that date, during which Spanish troops managed to retake the island and capture Moroccan soldiers who were then sent back to their country. Spain hoists the Spanish flag on the islet. The crisis ends on July 20, with the signing of an agreement between the two parties, under the aegis of the United States.

Morocco has never provided a clear official explanation for its invasion of the Leila islet, arguing that its action is part of a strategy to fight drug trafficking and irregular immigration in the region. For some observers, this Moroccan initiative was rather aime