Timeline of Catalan separatism that has rocked Spain

Large demonstrations to protest this week's conviction of 12 leaders of Catalonia's swelling separatist movement turned violent at times.

The 12 were at the forefront of a secession attempt in 2017 that led to the biggest political crisis in Spain's modern history.

Polls show that the 7.5 million residents in the prosperous industrial region remain roughly divided over the independence issue.

A protestors uses a sling during clashes with police in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.The Catalan regional capital is bracing for a fifth day of protests over the conviction of a dozen Catalan independence leaders. Five marches of tens of thousands from inland towns are converging in Barcelona's center for a mass protest. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Here is a look at some key dates in the political crisis:

June 28, 2010 — Many Catalans are angered by a court ruling that watered downed a sweeping new law that gave more powers to its regional government. Pro-secession sentiment grows, fueled by Spain's economic troubles.

Sept. 11, 2012 — Hundreds of thousands take to the streets of Barcelona to back independence.

Protesters pack the street on the fifth day of protests over the conviction of a dozen Catalan independence leaders in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. Tens of thousands of flag-waving demonstrators demanding Catalonia's independence and the release from prison of their separatist leaders have flooded downtown Barcelona. The protesters have poured into the city after some of them walked for three days in "Freedom marches" from towns across the northeastern Spanish region, joining students and workers who have also taken to the streets on a general strike day. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

Nov. 25, 2012 — In a first, political parties supporting independence win the most seats— but not the most votes— in the Catalan regional parliament.

Nov. 9, 2014 — After Spain's government refused to authorize an independence referendum, Catalan authorities ignore a prohibition by the Constitutional Court and hold a mock vote anyway. The regional president at the time, Artur Mas, and three Catalan Cabinet members were later fined for disobedience and misuse of public funds.

June 9, 2017 — Carles Puigdemont, Mas' successor, announces plans for a "binding" referendum on independence. That is despite repeated warnings by central authorities and courts that it would be illegal. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vows to stop the vote.

Protestors wave Estelada pro-independence flags during a demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.The Catalan regional capital is bracing for a fifth day of protests over the conviction of a dozen Catalan independence leaders. Five marches of tens of thousands from inland towns are converging in Barcelona's center for a mass protest. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Oct. 1, 2017 — Over two million people turn out at schools to vote in the referendum. Most of the Catalans who want to remain part of Spain stay at home. While Catalan police mostly stand down, Civil Guard and National Police officers in riot gear raid several polling stations, clashing violently with voters. Puigdemont claims an overwhelming victory for secession in the referendum.

Oct. 16, 2017 — A judge orders the arrest of separatist leaders Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart on suspicion of sedition.

Oct. 27, 2017 — Puigdemont considers calling a snap election to defuse the crisis, but he decides to plow ahead and the Catalan Parliament declares Catalonia an independent republic. No foreign power recognizes the declaration. Rajoy immediately invokes constitutional powers to take over Catalonia's affairs, firing Puigdemont and his Cabinet.

A European Union flag, in the center, is waved together with Estelada pro-independence flags during a demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.The Catalan regional capital is bracing for a fifth day of protests over the conviction of a dozen Catalan independence leaders. Five marches of tens of thousands from inland towns are converging in Barcelona's center for a mass protest. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Oct. 31, 2017 — Puigdemont and several members of his deposed Cabinet flee to Belgium. Puigdemont will go on to successfully fight extradition to Spain. He establishes residence in Waterloo.

Nov. 2, 2017 — A judge orders Puigdemont's No. 2, Oriol Junqueras, and eight other members of the former Catalan government who did not flee to be taken into custody.

Feb. 12, 2019 — The trial of Junqueras, Cuixart, Sànchez, and nine associates begins at the Supreme Court in Madrid.

Police officers run past a burning barricade on the fifth day of protests over the conviction of a dozen Catalan independence leaders in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. Tens of thousands of flag-waving demonstrators demanding Catalonia's independence and the release from prison of their separatist leaders have flooded downtown Barcelona. The protesters have poured into the city after some of them walked for three days in "Freedom marches" from towns across the northeastern Spanish region, joining students and workers who have also taken to the streets on a general strike day. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

June 12, 2019 — The hearings conclude after questioning 500 witnesses, all broadcast live on television.

Oct. 14, 2019 — The Supreme Court issues a guilty verdict for all 12 and sends nine to prison. Junqueras receives 13 years for sedition and misuse of public funds. Eight more, including Cuixart and Sànchez, get sentences ranging from nine to 12 years. They are all acquitted of the most serious charge of rebellion which carries sentences up to 25 years. Separately, a judge issues an international arrest warrant for Puigdemont. Peaceful protests ensue, with riots breaking out for five days in a row in Barcelona and other towns.

Police take position on the fifth day of protests over the conviction of a dozen Catalan independence leaders in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. Tens of thousands of flag-waving demonstrators demanding Catalonia's independence and the release from prison of their separatist leaders have flooded downtown Barcelona. The protesters have poured into the city after some of them walked for three days in "Freedom marches" from towns across the northeastern Spanish region, joining students and workers who have also taken to the streets on a general strike day. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A top European Union military officer said that a frigate that’s part of an EU mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels on Thursday morning.

Austrian Gen. Robert Brieger, who is chair of the EU’s military committee, said that it would be crucial for the bloc to “conserve resources” over the long haul because the threat posed by Houthi attacks “will not disappear” due to its connection to the Israel-Hamas war.

“The task given to the military is simply to protect merchant ships and to show the public that the European Union is not willing to accept a terrorist organization will interrupt the freedom of movement at sea,” Brieger said.

Brieger said that he’s asking EU members to provide the necessary resources to the EU mission dubbed Aspides — Greek for “shields.”

He said that it’s the first time that the EU has launched a naval operation in a hostile environment that's twice the size of the 27-nation bloc, calling it a “litmus test” that the bloc will pass successfully.

The commander of an EU naval mission in the Red Sea, Greek Rear Adm. Vasilios Gryparis, wants to significantly increase its size to better defend against possible attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen. Nineteen of the 27 EU nations are involved in the mission, but only four frigates are patrolling an area twice the size of the bloc.

The EU mission was established in February to defend civilian vessels and doesn't take part in any military strikes. The southern part of the Red Sea is deemed a high-risk zone.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which control much of Yemen’s north and west, launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in November. They have also fired missiles toward Israel, although those have largely fallen short or been intercepted.

The attacks have hit maritime trade to Egypt and Europe, with only around half the usual number of ships moving through the area. It’s added up to two weeks of transit time for vessels that want to avoid the Suez Canal, hiking transport costs and shipping insurance.

The rebels have described their campaign as an effort to pressure Israel to end the wear. The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, largely have had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war.

Their campaign has continued despite more than two months of U.S.-led retaliatory airstrikes.

General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU's Military Committee talks to the media during a press conference after a meeting with the Cyprus national guard chief Georgios Tsitsikostas at the Defense Ministry in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The European Union's top military official says a frigate that's part of an EU military mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping has destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels. Brieger said the downing of the drone took place Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU's Military Committee talks to the media during a press conference after a meeting with the Cyprus national guard chief Georgios Tsitsikostas at the Defense Ministry in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The European Union's top military official says a frigate that's part of an EU military mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping has destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels. Brieger said the downing of the drone took place Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU's Military Committee talks to the media during a press conference after a meeting with the Cyprus national guard chief Georgios Tsitsikostas at the Defense Ministry in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The European Union's top military official says a frigate that's part of an EU military mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping has destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels. Brieger said the downing of the drone took place Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU's Military Committee talks to the media during a press conference after a meeting with the Cyprus national guard chief Georgios Tsitsikostas at the Defense Ministry in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The European Union's top military official says a frigate that's part of an EU military mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping has destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels. Brieger said the downing of the drone took place Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)