Persistent tensions between Spain and the Morocco Around the Enclave de Ceuta continue to weigh on bilateral relations. Located on the Mediterranean coast of the Maghreb, this city under Spanish administration is the subject of recurring demands from Rabat, which considers it as a territory to be returned. The migration crisis of May 2021, marked by the entrance of thousands of people since the Moroccohad highlighted the extent of the disputes. Although the dialogue has since been restored, the question of the sovereignty of Ceuta et Melilla Remains sensitive and regularly stirs up tensions.
Capacity building in the field
The Spanish army recently has conducts a series of operations to CEUTA mobilizing several components of its land forces. Specialized units, including helicopters attached to the command of the Canaries and the artillery regiment RAMIX 30, have been engaged in exercises combining air support, interarmes coordination and simulation of responses in hostile environment. These training sessions took place in areas close to the territorial limits of the city, illustrating a marked interest in the immediate defense of the enclave.
The announced objective was to consolidate the operational efficiency of the troops committed, both in terms of methods and the tools used. Detection, connection and alert devices have been activated to test command reflexes and the integration of tactical support. Beyond the technical aspects, this mobilization aims to Ensure optimal responsiveness in the face of possible external pressures.
Assumed strategic positioning
The choice of leading these maneuvers nearby by Moroccan territory is not by chance. Several analysts see it as a message addressed to Rabat, stressing the determination of Spain to defend its positions in the region. Without official communication targeting a particular country, the characteristics of this exercise – place, committed material, intensity – translate a desire to show a deterrent posture.
This type of operation, regularly renewed, is part of a logic of military visibility and continuous preparation. For Madrid, It is a question of recalling that the security of its North African territories is an integral part of its global defense strategy, especially in a regional environment marked by persistent rivalries.
