Spain Removes Flags From Two Disputed Moroccan Islands

According to caller reports, Spanish officials person made nan unexpected move of removing nan Spanish nationalist emblem from 2 Moroccan islets, Isla de Tierra, and Isla de Mar (Island of Land and Island of Sea). The 2 mini islands person been heavy disputed for years, and nan Spanish flags person remained connected nan islands for much than 2 decades.

The 2 islets are located successful nan Mediterranean Sea, conscionable disconnected nan seashore of Morocco adjacent nan metropolis of Al Hoceima. The mini islands person been a root of changeless negotiated and governmental hostility betwixt Madrid and Rabat. The abrupt removal of nan flags by Spain is now being interpreted arsenic a symbolic retreat from nan dispute, and could thief to de-escalate tensions and bring Morocco’s narration pinch Spain to a amended position.

Back successful July of 2002, nan Moroccan Royal Navy landed connected nan adjacent island, Leila (called Perejil successful Spain), and Spain retaliated by launching a subject unit to regain power of nan mini island. It was past that nan flags were erected and Spain has maintained a symbolic beingness and ownership connected nan 2 islets, until recently.

While nan measurement could instantly beryllium interpreted arsenic a metaphorical extremity to nan quarrel, aliases moreover a achromatic emblem of surrender, nan motion has besides raised questions astir how, if astatine all, Spain will displacement its politics erstwhile it comes to Morocco. The Isla de Tierra and Isla de Mar are mini islands pinch small governmental value extracurricular of nan aforementioned feud. Some are speculating that nan motion whitethorn person been wholly symbolic and will beryllium of nary existent consequence erstwhile it comes to Spain’s policies regarding Morocco.

Neither of nan governments of nan 2 countries has released an charismatic connection regarding this gesture. The early guidance of these territories remains open.