Spain to increase military presence in Mali and Afghanistan

MADRID, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Spain will increase the number of military personnel currently stationed in Mali and Afghanistan, Spanish State TV network RTVE reported Saturday quoting military sources.

Spain will increase the number of troops in Mali from 136 to closer to 300 in the New Year, while the number in Afghanistan will rise from 20 to 80, the report said.

Meanwhile, Jan. 31 will see the Spanish general, Enrique Milan Martinez, take over the command of the European Union mission in Mali, replacing the Belgian, Bart Laurent.

Spanish forces are currently instructing their Malian counterparts in artillery, shooting, urban combat and human rights issues.

Meanwhile the Spanish troops in Afghanistan form part of the operation "Resolute Support."

Spain currently contributes a total of 2,501 military personnel to overseas missions; of which 502 are collaborating with NATO, 693 with the EU, 623 with the United Nations, 531 to a the international Coalition against the Islamic State, 110 in a joint operation with France and 42 on Spanish planned missions. Enditem