Spanish Naval Presence Near Melilla Heightens Tensions with Morocco

In a tweet, the General Staff of Defense (EMAD) indicated that it was carrying out a permanent operation of "maritime surveillance" in the Spanish territorial waters in Melilla, near Morocco, reports Vozpópuli.

The news has sparked a wave of reactions in Morocco. Several media in the kingdom consider that the presence of the Spanish ship in Melilla is a provocation that risks aggravating the serious diplomatic crisis opened between the two countries for months. "Spain provokes Morocco," headlined some Moroccan dailies, while others talk about a "new crisis" or "war threats".

To read: Spanish Navy Conducts Mine Sweep in Melilla Waters Amid Tensions with Morocco

This is not the first time that the Navy has reported on the missions it carries out in the Spanish enclaves near Morocco to preserve its sovereignty, particularly in the Vélez de la Gomera rocks, in Al Hoceima, and in the Chafarinas Islands, where it maintains a strong constant military presence.

To recall, the Spanish Navy had proceeded to transfer the bodies buried in the Vélez de la Gomera and Al Hoceima rocks to a cemetery in Melilla due to the advanced state of deterioration of the cemeteries in these enclaves. Recently, the naval command also carried out a mission to assess the morale of the agents stationed in these enclaves and see how to improve their living and working conditions.