Robert Firth
OFFICIALS in Gibraltar are asking residents not to fear the surge in troops and military vehicles on the rock this week.
They want to reassure people living in the British overseas territory that the increased military presence is due to 2019’s ‘Gibraltar Exercise.’
The annual event sees British soldiers descend on the rock for war games.
This year’s exercises begin today and run until Friday.
Emergency service staff will join the soldiers in the activities.
The exercises, also known as GIBEX, aim to test the rock’s ability to defend itself from potential attacks and respond to emergency situations.
The war games will take place at Ministry of Defence buildings in Gibraltar.
Security concerns have risen to the top of the agenda on the rock in recent months following the upsurge in support for Vox in neighbouring Spain.
The far-right party, which wants to reclaim Gibraltar, finished third in the recent Spanish elections and came second in the border town of La Linea.
