16th Libre Hidalgo

Marjayoun, 16.2.2012.

The “Líbano XVI” Brigade (known as BRILIB XVI) has completed its deployment in the area of operations. Ceuta General Command leads Operation “Libre Hidalgo” for the first time, although it has taken part in other operations abroad. It is supported by personnel from Melilla General Command and by different units from the Army, the Marine Infantry and the Civil Guard. BRILIB XVI is made up of around 1,000 troops who for the next five months will be integrated into the Multinational Brigade Sector East (MNB SECEAST) of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On 12 February 2012 BRILIB XVI began its mission in Lebanon to ensure compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Its roughly 1,000 troops relieved the units and soldiers of BRILIB XV at the base “Miguel de Cervantes” in the Marjayoun District, nearly 4,000 km away from Spain. In the Transfer of Authority ceremony General Julio Herrero Isla, deputy head of Ceuta General Command, took over from General Fernando Gutiérrez Díaz de Otazu, commander of the 11th Mechanised Infantry Brigade “Extremadura”, and assumed command of MNB SECEAST.

The whole UN operation in the eastern sector of the southern strip of Lebanon, from the Litani River to the Blue Line which separates the country from Israel, is controlled from the HQ of this Brigade, which is made up mainly of Spanish personnel. As well as the Spanish troops, the Brigade is composed of units from Indonesia, Nepal, India, Malaysia, El Salvador, Brunei and Serbia. In all, around 4,500 soldiers compose a truly multinational Brigade under UN command which is led by Spain since 2006.

The contingent for Operation “Libre Hidalgo” XVI is made up mainly of personnel from Ceuta General Command and supported by Melilla General Command. The contingent also includes members of the Navy (116, 112 of them from the Marine Infantry) and a squadron from the 10th Regiment “Alcántara”. In addition, soldiers from different Army units and a 12-member unit from the Civil Guard assist the Spanish force in the fulfilment of its duties within the UN mission.

UNIFIL MNB SECEAST battalions perform key operational tasks under the command of the United Nations. Deployed in different positions within the Area of Responsibility of the Brigade, they carry out patrols and man permanent outposts to guarantee the observance of the cessation of hostilities and support and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces to control the area from the Litani River to the Blue Line, negotiated with Israel as the line of separation between the two countries but which does not still represent an international border.

The 442-strong Light Protected Tactical Battalion which constitutes the Spanish Battalion (SPANBATT) within the Multinational Brigade is composed of personnel from the 4th Battalion of the 2nd Legion Regiment “Duque de Alba” and includes a company from the Navy Regiment and 42 members from the Salvadorian army, in a demonstration of the solid military cooperation which exists between the two countries.

SPANBATT is deployed at sensitive points very close to the Blue Line and its task is crucial: On the security and stability of that area depends to a great extent the success of the mission and the pacification of this region of the Middle East.