British fleet's Gibraltar drills spark Spanish outrage

The British fleet has carried out military exercises off the coast of Gibraltar, eliciting a wave of negative feedback from Spain. Discontent has been voiced by the Spanish press, as well as military and veteran groups.

The drills, known by the codename Surfex, took place near the contentious territory and drew criticism from local authorities in towns close to Gibraltar, located at the southern extremity of the Iberian Peninsula.

As reported by the Madrid newspaper "El Debate," British vessels conducted exercises "in waters claimed by Spain". The publication expressed astonishment at the Spanish government's lack of response to the incursion.

"The government of Pedro Sanchez has yet to denounce this activity," "El Debate" pointed out, reminding readers that the Spanish government had quickly responded when British ships entered the contested waters in February 2023.

The Spanish authorities’ prompt and decisive reaction was also evident last October when the Spanish patrol boat Isla de Leon clashed with a contingent of British Royal Navy ships, including the patrol boat HMS Cutlass.

In November 2023, Spanish media reacted unfavorably to Princess Anne's visit to Gibraltar, a territory controlled by Britain since 1713 but claimed by Spain. Some journalists described the princess's attendance at the Gibraltar book fair as a "British provocation".