Because of Ceuta, Spain Denies Soldiers Their Holidays
Military personnel assigned to Ceuta must interrupt their holidays and return to the city starting August 13. Some are currently in mainland Spain or abroad, in some cases after saving all year for a few days with their families.
The General Command of Ceuta has canceled its military personnel’s leave until further notice, except in duly justified cases. According to the Association of Spanish Troops and Marines (ATME), those who have already left on leave must therefore return.
On Bladi.net : Spain Flexes Military Muscle Near Moroccan Border, Reinforcing Ceuta’s Defense
Its president, Marco Antonio Gómez, cites in particular the case of South American soldiers serving in the Spanish army. Some save all year to buy a ticket and spend ten or fifteen days with their loved ones. The recall could force them to interrupt their stay and bear transportation costs or lose reservations.
Ceuta prepares for August 15
The decision comes after the mass arrivals from Morocco and as new calls to cross the Ceuta border circulate on social media for Saturday, August 15. A new mass attempt is not certain, but the authorities are reinforcing their personnel.
The pressure is already intense on the ground. According to Gómez, some soldiers work eight hours of patrol duty, followed by eight hours of rest and then eight hours on alert in the barracks.
On Bladi.net : Spain Flexes Military Muscle Near Moroccan Border in Ceuta
The Guardia Civil has also suspended its agents’ holidays and leave until further notice in Ceuta and Melilla in order to maintain sufficient staffing levels. In Ceuta, the deployment is therefore tightening as August 15 approaches, even if that means recalling soldiers who were thousands of kilometers from their barracks.
