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Controversy over the loyalty of Spain's Muslim soldiers
Muslim soldiers serving in the Spanish army in the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla are sparking controversy among security experts. Some doubt their loyalty to Spain and fear they could side with neighbouring Morocco in case of a conflict between the two countries.

Located on Morocco's Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla have belonged to Spain for centuries, but Rabat continues to claim sovereignty over them.
They also claim most of Andalusia and for the same reason ...
About a third of the enclaves' population of some 70,000 each is estimated to be Muslim, a proportion corresponding to their number among the total 8,000 soldiers stationed in the two strategically important military outposts.

Officially, Ceuta and Melilla are presented as models of a harmonious coexistence between Catholics, Muslims and the smaller Jewish and Hindu communities, but the reality is less rosy. If a conflict erupted with Morocco over sovereignty or some other issue, "I'm not certain the Muslim soldiers would obey me," one commander said.
Which means you're certain they won't ...
Muslim soldiers are Spanish citizens, but they, their parents, grandparents or greatgrandparents were usually born in Morocco, where they retain family ties. They are schooled in the Muslim faith by Moroccan imams, who often pass to them a reverence for King Mohammed VI, regarded as the spiritual leader of Moroccan Muslims.

Posted by: ryuge 2007-02-02
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=179380