Spanish Defense Minister’s Visit to Disputed Islands Sparks Tension with Morocco

Margarita Robles visited on Monday these Spanish rocks located off the Moroccan coast to get a feel for the working conditions of the soldiers on detachment on these territories and boost the morale of the troops. The Defense Minister was on Monday in Vélez, where she visited the facilities and developments carried out on this rock, located halfway between Ceuta and Melilla. "I know it’s a big effort to be here and I thank you all on behalf of everyone. This is a very advanced presence in Spain and a very beautiful place," Robles told the soldiers on site.

"We do not forget those who are deployed here or the work they do, essential for the security of our territory, even more so in a complicated moment like the one we are currently experiencing," she said to the 40 soldiers stationed on the Chafarinas Islands. The official also spoke with the 38 soldiers deployed on the islet of Al Hoceima, to whom she addressed words of gratitude and pride for the difficult mission they are carrying out, inviting them to always remain professional and efficient.

The maintenance and protection of these territories visited by Robles fall under the general command of Melilla, and from an organizational point of view, under the command of the Canary Islands, reports El Debate, recalling that these islands and rocks have belonged to Spain since the 16th century, with Vélez de la Gomera being the oldest, to which Al Hoceima in 1673 and the Chafarinas Islands in 1848 were added.