- The army is present in surveillance and deterrence operations
- Alert to protect areas of sovereignty
- Ships in the Strait and foot patrols in Ceuta and Melilla
- Recognition of dams, coasts and water reservoirs…
- Another goal: to gain the trust of the population
- Unnamed Recipient: Morocco?
The army is present in surveillance and deterrence operations
The scene happened a few days ago Boys rockhe The highest point on the island of La PalmaAnd at other points of the so-called “Volcano Road” From which you can see another island of the Canary Islands: Tenerife.
The soldiers who carried out these patrols belong to 16th Sapper Battalionthe follower 16th Canary Islands Brigade Subordinate army.
They participated in operations Presence, surveillance and deterrence For the armed forces.
“Operations Presence, surveillance and deterrence They are a reflection of Commitment of the armed forces With citizens and a The element of national unity “And solidarity among Spaniards,” explains the defense staff.
Alert to protect areas of sovereignty
The General Staff of Defense directs the operational structure of the armed forces. he armythe Navy and Air Force They train, prepare and equip their units, and when they participate in operations they become dependent on the defense staff.
around Armed Forces operations Typically thought to be overseas deployments: in Lebanon with the United Nationswith European Union against piracy In the Indian Ocean, with NATO in Eastern European countries Such as Latvia, Slovakia, and Romania.
But there too Operations on national territory. Operations Presence, surveillance and deterrence It is permanent.
“Every day of the year, and every hour of the day, the units and orders of the operational structure of The armed forces are on alert To confront any threat Against security In spaces Sovereignty and national interest. The armed forces remain Permanent guard to monitoring Of spaces Land, sea, air, above ground and cyberspace“.
Ships in the Strait and foot patrols in Ceuta and Melilla
In addition to alerting on certain occasions Deployment of military units. The ships of Marine sail by Spanish sovereign waters Or of national interest, especially in a region Strait of Gibraltar And about Spanish territories North Africa: Ceuta, Melilla, the Spanish Rocks and Islands.
he Army highlights patrols Who conduct walking tours, especially in Ceuta, Melilla, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. It is worth understanding that they are Areas most at risk In the face of an external threat.
We must not forget that Moroccan authoritiesAnd in their broader expansionist desires, they aspire to have just as much Ceuta and Melilla As is the case with Canary Islands And with Rocks and islands of North Africa.
For many years, the Defense Staff has often demonstrated Information channels (web page And profiles on social networks such as X, Facebook and Instagram) Pictures Soldiers walking and carrying riflesThey travel through the mountains and extra-urban areas of the various Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, as well as in the regions of Ceuta and Melilla.
In the two autonomous cities, he has displayed it on occasions before The fence that separates Morocco from Spainon a mission to monitoringOr Leopard and other armored cars in Ceuta and Melilla with the message that they are “ready to secure the national territory.”
Tactical groups in Ceuta and Melilla #MOT They keep working #24Seven In a frame #Permanent operationsCarrying out various activities in order to be permanently prepared to secure the national territory🇪🇸@MCANA_ET@EarthArmy#Mops pic.twitter.com/FxEMviZqfS
– Defense Staff 🇪🇸 (EMADmde) February 3, 2022
Moreover, some of these posts coincided with moments of tension with Morocco.
This has happened with movements on Spanish waters in North AfricaOr when the Air Force brags about how planes fly F-18 over the waters of Gran Canaria On the same dates approved by the Moroccan Parliament Expanding its territorial watersWhich collides with the Spanish waters of the Canary Islands.
What do military personnel who participate in operations do? Presence, surveillance and deterrence? What did the explosives experts do a few days ago? 16th Canary Islands Brigade Deployed in La Palma as part of Tactical group “Canary Islands”?
Recognition of dams, coasts and water reservoirs…
The Defense General Staff explains that “in these deployments, some Intensive work procedures It is fully oriented to a task“.
The day always starts with Physical training.
Then they do Patrols in the designated area Which allows the army to implement it Identify sensitive spots: Dams, reservoirs, water tanks, coasts or exchanges.
Another goal: to gain the trust of the population
Another approach to these processes is “Know and build trust with residents“We must prove that we are Willing to do anything to protect and care To our city and our people,” said Al Sergeant ConchaThat’s why the NCO gave a lecture at the high school, the same school where he himself studied.
This deployment in La Palma was for soldiers Light vehicles And a Transport truck.
The summary of its value is that ” Military patrols They don’t just allow Effective and direct monitoring For the environment, but it also facilitates Greater knowledge of the terrain And who The social reality of the island. Moreover, it encourages Integrating the army into local society And it strengthens The link between the armed forces and citizens“.
The ultimate goal of this process isStrengthen monitoring And contribute to Ensuring comprehensive security Of spaces Floor of the Canary Archipelago“.
Unnamed Recipient: Morocco?
The Defense Staff confirms that “this Deployment in La Palma They are combined into a group Presence, surveillance and deterrence operationswhich is one of the most important Contributions of the armed forces to national security In times of peace.”
As it appears” Commitment of the armed forces with Protect the territoryIn addition to showing the community Ability and preparation To anticipate any possibility that could endanger Normal life and stability In the spaces of sovereignty.”
As their name indicates, these Transfer attempts Inside and outside Spain it The armed forces are present In the most sensitive points in the region They guard the areathey are carrotthey are Coaststhey are borderthey are waters…
All for the purpose of practicing Deterrence: prove to Virtual enemy that The armed forces are prepared and trained to Defending sovereignty and safety From Spain.
It is logical that the General Staff publications do not mention any country, but rather the main country Regional sovereignty and geostrategic tensions Which Spain suffers from in places where these weapons are widespread “Presence, surveillance and deterrence” patrols. Keep them with them MoroccoWhere are you Movements of the Spanish Armed Forces It does not go unnoticed.