Spain deploys frigate as Moroccan NGO eyes operation on Leila Islet

The Spanish army is taking seriously the initiative launched by the «Coordination Committee for the Defense of the Kingdom's Causes», which plans to carry out an operation on the islet of Leila. In response, the Ministry of Defense has dispatched a frigate to monitor the area, according to a committee member who spoke to Yabiladi. Rachid Hssaine, spokesperson for the NGO, had previously mentioned the project in statements to our editorial team.

The Spanish military later shifted its attention to the Chafarinas Islands, where a vessel docked on Tuesday. This deployment comes amid what Iberian media describe as «growing assertions in recent weeks from the neighboring country regarding the so-called ‘Moroccan identity’ of these territories».

The maneuvers by the Spanish navy are seen as a move to reassure right-wing and far-right circles, which have raised concerns about the potential impact of the committee’s creation on the security of Ceuta, Melilla, and other nearby islets.

Vox party MPs have called on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to take action against what they describe as «a Moroccan project to invade the islet of Perejil». They are urging the left-wing coalition government to ensure the protection of Spain’s sovereign territories, including Perejil, Alhucemas, Vélez de la Gomera, Chafarinas, Ceuta, and Melilla.