Spanish Navy Patrols Disputed Perejil Island, Tensions Rise with Morocco

The Spanish Navy published on Monday on its social networks an image of the patrol vessel Tagomago (P-22) near the island of Perejil, with the caption: "Maritime security consists in making the freedom of navigation compatible with safety at sea, protecting citizens and safeguarding national and international interests," reports El Debate.

The patrol vessel can navigate up to 200 miles, regardless of weather conditions. The Navy continues its surveillance and deterrence missions on the islands and rocks under Spanish sovereignty such as the Chafarinas Islands, the island of Alborán, the island of Perejil, the rock of Vélez de la Gomera and the island of Al Hoceima, claimed by Morocco for several years.

Located about 200 meters from the Moroccan coast, Perejil is a small uninhabited islet of about 15 hectares. Morocco had tried to recover this territory on July 11, 2002, when Moroccan soldiers had landed on the island and planted two Moroccan flags, declaring Morocco’s sovereignty over the island. It was recovered by Spain on July 18, 2002.