18th Libre Hidalgo

Marjayoun,  21.01.2013

The “Líbano XVIII” Brigade (known as BRILIB XVIII) has completed its deployment in the area of operations. The 10th Mechanised Infantry Brigade “Guzmán el Bueno” (BRIMZ X) leads the Spanish operation in Lebanon, “Libre Hidalgo”, for the third time. It is supported by the Navy Regiment, personnel from the 21st Logistic Support Group (AALOG 21) and different units from the Army and the Civil Guard, as well as by members of the Salvadorian and Serbian armies - around fifty soldiers from each. BRILIB XVIII is made up of around 650 troops who for the next six months will be integrated into the Multinational Brigade Sector East (MNB SECEAST) of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On 23 November 2012 BRILIB XVIII began its mission in Lebanon to ensure compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Its roughly 650 troops relieved the units and soldiers of BRILIB XVII at the base “Miguel de Cervantes” in the Marjayoun District, nearly 4,000 km away from Spain. In the Transfer of Authority ceremony General Teodoro Baños Alonso, commander of BRIMZ X “Guzmán el Bueno”, took over from General Manuel Romero Carril, commander of BRC II “Castillejos”, 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 MNB SECEAST HQ. 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 4,000 soldiers make up a truly multinational Brigade under UN command and led by Spain since 2006.

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 Light Protected Tactical Battalion which constitutes the Spanish Battalion (SPANBATT) within the Multinational Brigade is composed of personnel from the 2nd Mechanised Infantry Regiment “La Reina”. One of its companies is made up of marines from the Navy Regiment and also incorporates a section from the Salvadorian army. In addition, the Command and Support Company includes a Serbian section. The members of the Light Armoured Section come from the 12th Light Armoured Cavalry Regiment “Farnesio”.

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.