<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The 500 soldiers that make up the second rotation of the Spanish contingent in the UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are now at the 'Miguel de Cervantes' base to replace the current contingent, which will take place next Friday, a change that comes at a time of maximum tension due to Israel's military offensive to combat the Shiite militias of Hezbollah and the repeated Israeli attacks against the headquarters of the mission in Naqura.</strong></h4> The new soldiers, from the 'Guzmán El Bueno' Brigade, based in Córdoba, will replace the 'Aragón' Brigade, which will return to Spain on Saturday night, according to a press release from the Ministry of Defense on Monday. The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, held a video conference on Monday, from the headquarters of the Operations Command of the Retamares Base (Madrid), with the outgoing Spanish contingent, whom she thanked for their stay and work in Lebanon, "in a very complicated situation and, despite everything, with very high morale and also a very high appreciation from all the countries present in the mission." According to Defense, the professionalism and security provided by the Spanish contingent in the area "is evident" and, in fact, the places where the Spanish blue helmets patrol "show an increase in population, which has moved to that area precisely because they feel safer." Brigadier General Guillermo García del Barrio, who has been in command of the 'Aragón' Brigade, thanked the entire contingent for "their high-mindedness and their commendable work" and advised the incoming personnel to maintain force protection measures at all times. The new contingent is commanded by General Fernando Ruiz Gómez. Most of them come from units of the BRI X, Armored Regiment 'Córdoba' 10, Infantry Regiment 'La Reina' 2, Infantry Regiment 'Garellano' 45, GACA X (Self-Propelled Field Artillery Group), Logistics Group X, Sapper Battalion X and Headquarters Battalion X. In addition, it has the support of a logistics unit belonging to the AALOG 21 of Seville, and personnel from other units of the Army, among which are cited for providing capabilities, the Rgto. NBQ (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) Defense “Valencia” 1, the 21st and 22nd Transmission Regiments, the ROI (Information Operations Regiment) and AGRUSAN 1 (Health Group), Armed Forces and the Civil Guard, to which are added soldiers from the armies of Brazil, Serbia and El Salvador. Spain's participation in UNIFIL began in September 2006, as part of the operation 'Libre Hidalgo', deploying its military in southern Lebanon with the aim of contributing to the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1701. Since then, according to Defense, the Spanish Armed Forces have played "a fundamental role in maintaining peace in the region", leading the Eastern Sector of the mission from the 'Miguel de Cervantes' base, located near the town of Marjayoun, in southeastern Lebanon. The Spanish deployment has focused on patrolling and monitoring the separation line between Israel and Lebanon, in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. Patrols are carried out both on foot and in vehicles, with the aim of preventing violations of the truce and preventing tensions between the parties from turning into clashes. The Spanish contingent in UNIFIL is currently one of the largest, with 669 soldiers assigned to various tasks within the mission. In addition to patrols, Spanish troops are present at the mission's command posts in Naqura, where the force's headquarters are located and where Spain also has several key positions assigned to officers and non-commissioned officers of the Army. Since 2022, Spanish Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro has been in command of the international contingent, in which more than 10,500 blue helmets from 40 countries are deployed.
