The Spanish army denies having fortified Tierra and Mar islands

The Spanish army categorically denied having undertaken fortifications on Tierra and Mar islands. The denial was announced by the General Command of Melilla, indicates Europa Press news agency.

On Thursday, 21 September, the Spanish official news agency EFE reported that Spain is constructing fundemental services on the two rocks to contain the repeated assaults of migrants, pointing out that a helicopter makes rotations to unload equipment.

The army said in its statement that the helicopter mentioned by EFE «carries out regular flights for the transport of staff and equipments for teams installed on the islets».

Tierra and Mar islets are two popular destinations for migrants. Earlier in August, 37 people had reached the two rocks which are located 300 metres (984 feet) off the Moroccan town of Al Hoceima, or Alhucemas (former Villa Sanjurjo), 146 km (91 miles) east of Ceuta and 84 km (52 miles) west of Melilla.