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President's festive message to troops abroad praises Afghan evacuations
24/12/2021
THIS year's presidential message to troops spending Christmas on overseas missions focused in particular on the Forces' heroic efforts in evacuating over 2,300 Afghans plus numerous Spanish nationals via Kabul airport (pictured) after the Taliban regained power in summer.
National leader Pedro Sánchez, once again, spoke to service personnel abroad via video conference on Christmas Eve, expressing his 'pride and admiration' for their work.
“One of the most crucial moments in 2021 was the change in régime in Afghanistan, when a 20-year mission came to an end,” Sánchez recalled.
“You've contributed to peace and to national rebuilding; our exit was not as we had hoped, but you can feel justly proud of yourself for repatriating over 2,300 Afghans whom we've now given a new opportunity at life.”
The president said Spanish Forces' efforts in 'those distant lands' had been 'useful and indispensable'.
“You made the largest Al-Qaeda terrorism refuge disappear, and I'm convinced that the seed of democratic values will germinate and bear fruit,” Sánchez said.
“All of you are excellent ambassadors for our country. All this effort, for yet another year, means you deserve the full gratitude of the people of Spain.”
Over 9,200 soldiers from Spain are based abroad, across four continents, but their presence on home turf is equally as vital, the president pointed out: Helping during Storm Filomena, forest fires, and the La Palma volcanic eruption, aiding evacuation, emergency and medical response, and ensuring those affected were safe and looked after.
Among the 'sacrifices' Sánchez said the public is 'conscious of' made by service personnel in the line of duty is that of spending Christmas and New Year away from loved ones, but the president gave them his well wishes in the name of the Spanish public and assured everyone in the country was proud of them for doing so.
Before rounding off with the usual festive greetings, Spain's leader paid tribute to the 188 soldiers from the country who had lost their lives in the course of duty over the last 32 years of Armed Forces overseas missions.
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THIS year's presidential message to troops spending Christmas on overseas missions focused in particular on the Forces' heroic efforts in evacuating over 2,300 Afghans plus numerous Spanish nationals via Kabul airport (pictured) after the Taliban regained power in summer.
National leader Pedro Sánchez, once again, spoke to service personnel abroad via video conference on Christmas Eve, expressing his 'pride and admiration' for their work.
“One of the most crucial moments in 2021 was the change in régime in Afghanistan, when a 20-year mission came to an end,” Sánchez recalled.
“You've contributed to peace and to national rebuilding; our exit was not as we had hoped, but you can feel justly proud of yourself for repatriating over 2,300 Afghans whom we've now given a new opportunity at life.”
The president said Spanish Forces' efforts in 'those distant lands' had been 'useful and indispensable'.
“You made the largest Al-Qaeda terrorism refuge disappear, and I'm convinced that the seed of democratic values will germinate and bear fruit,” Sánchez said.
“All of you are excellent ambassadors for our country. All this effort, for yet another year, means you deserve the full gratitude of the people of Spain.”
Over 9,200 soldiers from Spain are based abroad, across four continents, but their presence on home turf is equally as vital, the president pointed out: Helping during Storm Filomena, forest fires, and the La Palma volcanic eruption, aiding evacuation, emergency and medical response, and ensuring those affected were safe and looked after.
Among the 'sacrifices' Sánchez said the public is 'conscious of' made by service personnel in the line of duty is that of spending Christmas and New Year away from loved ones, but the president gave them his well wishes in the name of the Spanish public and assured everyone in the country was proud of them for doing so.
Before rounding off with the usual festive greetings, Spain's leader paid tribute to the 188 soldiers from the country who had lost their lives in the course of duty over the last 32 years of Armed Forces overseas missions.
Related Topics
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