A Spanish warship tried to order commercial shipping to leave anchorages in British waters near Gibraltar, but was challenged by the British navy and sailed away, Gibraltar said, the latest example of tension over the strategic port as Brexit approaches. The Spanish ship tried to order ships to leave their anchorages on the eastern side of the Rock, but the ships stayed in position, Gibraltar's authorities said. After being challenged by the British navy, the Spanish warship then sailed slowly along the coast with its weapons uncovered and manned. Tensions over territorial waters around the peninsula in southern Spain often erupt between Spanish and British vessels. "There is only nuisance value to these foolish games being played by those who don't accept unimpeachable British sovereignty over the waters around Gibraltar," a spokesperson for Gibraltar said.

Source: CBC News February 18, 2019 08:48 UTC