Spain's president's Christmas message to troops abroad: “We're ending 2023 in a world full of conflict”

'BRAVE' servicemen and women who will spend Christmas overseas are 'making Spain proud', president Pedro Sánchez assured them during his annual festive message via video-call.

Along with defence minister Margarita Robles and head of State for defence Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, the socialist (PSOE) leader spoke to many of the 12,054 troops posted abroad to wish them a merry Christmas, mindful of the fact that they were a long way from their families and that military duty did not stop for the Yuletide holiday.

An annual tradition, Spain's president always speaks live to soldiers serving outside the country to thank them for their personal sacrifices in the name of national security.

“In the name of Spanish society, we thank you all for the work you are carrying out beyond our borders in the quest for what we all wish for – world peace and stability,” Sánchez told the soldiers.

“Just a few days ago, we celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Your professionalism, your brave attitude in facing the challenges that arise in the course of duty on your missions, are a source of pride for all Spaniards – and, we have to tell you, of admiration, too.”

Sánchez referred to the 'colossal and formidable efforts' of those on Spanish overseas missions, largely in Lebanon, Latvia, Mali, and on the frigate Victoria based in the Indian Ocean.

Spain is involved in missions designed to protect Europe and the European Atlantic in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has led to soldiers being deployed this year in eastern border countries which are EU member States, such as Latvia, Estonia and Romania.

“We're ending 2023 in a world embroiled in numerous conflicts,” Spain's president recalled, “which, even here in Europe, are having a huge impact on the daily lives of ordinary residents.”

He described the Ukraine invasion, which began in February 2022, as a 'brutal conflict' that has 'already passed the 670 mark' of 'death, suffering and destruction'.

“More recently, the conflict in Gaza has turned our lives, our conscience, upside-down – those of the entire international community,” Sánchez added.

“Since October 7 this year, the terrorist group Hamas committed one of the cruellest attacks in recent history, and the response by the Israeli government is causing intolerable suffering, which is unacceptable to the civilian population and which the international community needs to make stop immediately.”

Sánchez expressed his support for and recognition of the United Nations mission in Lebanon 'led by Spain and particularly by the Spanish contingent involved', who are 'doing their duty despite the harsh conditions created by the crossfire of attacks in the area' between th Hizbula shi'ite militia and the Israeli defence forces.

Beyond the major recent conflicts on the eastern fringes of the European continent, the president highlighted Armed Forces missions in Africa which Spain is taking part in.

Spanish troops are deployed in Mali, Sénégal, the Central African Republic (CAR), Somalia, Djibouti and Mozambique.

“We are also working in cooperation with countries that are crucial to maintaining stability on the African continent, such as Tunisia, Cape Verde and Mauritania,” Sánchez recalled.

Naval ships are based in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean to 'maintain security', and Spanish troops are present in Latin America, 'overseeing the peace process in Colombia', the president adds.

Spain's forces are 'contributing to the safety' of the population in Iraq and leading the NATO mission in the war-torn west-Asian nation, as well as protecting Europe's borders through units set up in Türkiye and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Unrelated to military conflict, the Armed Forces – along with civilians, mostly scientists – are facing the coldest temperatures on earth at the Gabriel de Castilla base in the Antarctic and on the ship Hespérides, conducting research in the polar region.