British Fleet Exercise Near Gibraltar Ignites Diplomatic Tensions in Spain

The British fleet conducted military manoeuvres off the coasts of Gibraltar, sparking a wave of negative reactions in Spain. Spanish media, as well as military and veteran organisations, are among those expressing discontent.

The military exercises under the codename Surfex, conducted near the disputed enclave, were also criticised by local officials from municipalities located near Gibraltar, situated at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.

According to the Madrid newspaper "El Debate," British ships are conducting manoeuvres "in waters under Spanish jurisdiction". The newspaper expressed surprise at the lack of reaction from the Spanish government to the appearance of the British fleet.

"The government of Pedro Sanchez has still not criticised this event," wrote "El Debate," recalling that when British ships appeared in disputed waters in February 2023, the Spanish government's reaction was immediate.

The critical and swift stance of the Spanish authorities was also visible in October last year when the Spanish patrol vessel Isla de Leon encountered hostile actions by a group of British Royal Navy units, including the patrol vessel HMS Cutlass.

In November 2023, Spanish media reacted negatively to the visit of Princess Anne from the British royal family to Gibraltar, which has been under British jurisdiction since 1713 and to which Spain lays claim. Some of the press considered the princess's appearance at the Gibraltar book fair as "British provocation".