Spanish Blue Helmets and the Lebanese Armed Forces intensify surveillance and support for freedom of movement

 These activities are carried out with the aim of monitoring the Blue Line, enhancing tactical situation awareness on the ground and demonstrating its response-capability

The Spanish Battalion (SPANBATT) of UNIFIL's Sector East Multinational Brigade, in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), continues to reinforce its reconnaissance patrols and operations in the south and east within its area of responsibility.

These activities have been carried out with the aim of monitoring the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon, also known as the Blue Line, reinforcing tactical situation awareness on the ground, and demonstrating SPANBATT's rapid and effective response-capability.

These joint operations are gaining momentum and intensity after the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon last November. Thus, hostile activities are both prevented and avoided, as well as constant control and surveillance is maintained and freedom of movement is supported. Furthermore, the LAF’s role as the cornerstone of security and stability within the area is reinforced. Finally, access and freedom of movement on the roads of the Eastern Sector is granted.

These actions are part of UNIFIL's ongoing commitment to fulfilling the mandate of the United Nations Security Council, as set out in its Resolution 1701 (S/RES/1701/2006), thereby contributing to regional stability, enhancing cooperation with the LAF and local authorities, and strengthening integral security in southern Lebanon.

The 16th ‘Canarias’ Brigade (BRICAN XVI) deployed in Lebanon

The 16th ‘Canarias’ Brigade (BRICAN XVI) is the base unit of the 43rd Lebanon Brigade, and responsible for the Eastern Sector of the UNIFIL area of responsibility in southern Lebanon. This is the third time that the BRICAN XVI has been deployed to Lebanon to comply with Resolution 1701, which was approved by the United Nations Security Council on 11 August 2006 and has been subsequently extended.

The contingent mainly consists of military personnel from the 16th ‘Canarias’ Brigade (BRICAN XVI) units, more concretely from the 16th BRICAN Headquarters, the Staff of the Protected Light Tactical Group (GTLP in Spanish) and a Tactical Subgroup (S/GT) of the ‘Soria’ 9th Infantry Regiment, a Tactical Subgroup (S/GT) from the ‘Canarias’ 50th Infantry Regiment, an engineering unit (UING) from the 16th Sappers Battalion, a communications unit (UTRANS) from the 16th BRICAN Headquarters Battalion, the Base Support Unit (UABA) and a Surveillance Unit, both from the 93rd Field Artillery Regiment, as well as the Logistics Unit (ULOG), which is mainly composed of military personnel from the 16th Logistics Group and the 81st Logistics Support Group.

On the other hand, the Melilla General Command is contributing with a unit from the 10th ‘Alcántara’ Cavalry Regiment to the 18th BRILIB, which also has the support of military personnel from other units of the Spanish Armed Forces, the Army and the Civil Guard.

Furthermore, and as an international contribution, the 18th BRILIB includes a Serbian company, a section from El Salvador and, finally, military personnel from Brazil, who are integrated into the Headquarters.