Home · World · Sep 10 archive
Morocco Denies Involvement in Migrant Surge into Spain’s Ceuta
Confirmed
In Short: Morocco has denied any involvement in the mass migrant crossing into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, as Spain declassifies intelligence reports warning of the event.
Morocco has denied any involvement in the mass migrant crossing into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, as Spain declassifies intelligence reports warning of the event. According to the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, there is no evidence of Rabat’s involvement in the unprecedented surge, which saw over 70,000 migrants enter Ceuta from nearby Morocco on July 30 and 31. The ministry stated, 'Why continue to level accusations against Morocco when no evidence, facts, or reports establish any involvement on the part of Moroccan authorities?
Spain’s opposition parties have accused the government of facilitating or orchestrating the crossing, but the Moroccan Foreign Ministry has highlighted the close security, migration, and economic ties between Rabat and Madrid. Since Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022, the two countries have maintained strong relations. However, the Moroccan government has also asserted that it does not accept being made the 'scapegoat in political score-settling.
Spain’s National Intelligence Service (CNI) had warned of potential 'mass entries' by migrants into Ceuta just before the incident occurred. On July 29, the CNI informed Moroccan and Ceuta authorities that social media groups were encouraging migrants to cross the following day, both swimming and via the border fence. The CNI’s warning was declassified and released by the Spanish government amid accusations that it failed to provide the full story of the migrant influx.
Locals in Ceuta have expressed safety concerns and have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants. The mayor of Ceuta reported that at least 100 people died during the crossing. In a note on July 29, the CNI told Moroccan intelligence it had identified WhatsApp and Facebook groups promoting an attempt by migrants to reach the Spanish exclave the following day. The CNI stated, 'They had the information, they are directly responsible for the invasion of Ceuta and for those who died.
Despite the declassified intelligence reports, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry maintains that the Moroccan authorities were not involved in the migrant crossing. The ministry asserted, 'The mass arrival of migrants was not expected,' according to a statement by a Spanish official. The Moroccan government has refused to be used as a 'pre-election political pawn' and does not accept being made the 'scapegoat in political score-settling.
What's confirmed
- Morocco has denied any involvement in the mass migrant crossing into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, as Spain declassifies intelligence reports warning of the event. According to the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, there is no evidence of Rabat’s involvement in the unprecedented surge, which saw over 70,000 migrants enter Ceuta from nearby Morocco on July 30 and 31. The ministry stated, 'Why continue to level accusations against Morocco when no evidence, facts, or reports establish any involvement on the part of Moroccan authorities?
- Spain’s opposition parties have accused the government of facilitating or orchestrating the crossing, but the Moroccan Foreign Ministry has highlighted the close security, migration, and economic ties between Rabat and Madrid. Since Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022, the two countries have maintained strong relations. However, the Moroccan government has also asserted that it does not accept being made the 'scapegoat in political score-settling.
- Spain’s National Intelligence Service (CNI) had warned of potential 'mass entries' by migrants into Ceuta just before the incident occurred. On July 29, the CNI informed Moroccan and Ceuta authorities that social media groups were encouraging migrants to cross the following day, both swimming and via the border fence. The CNI’s warning was declassified and released by the Spanish government amid accusations that it failed to provide the full story of the migrant influx.
- Locals in Ceuta have expressed safety concerns and have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants. The mayor of Ceuta reported that at least 100 people died during the crossing. In a note on July 29, the CNI told Moroccan intelligence it had identified WhatsApp and Facebook groups promoting an attempt by migrants to reach the Spanish exclave the following day. The CNI stated, 'They had the information, they are directly responsible for the invasion of Ceuta and for those who died.
- Despite the declassified intelligence reports, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry maintains that the Moroccan authorities were not involved in the migrant crossing. The ministry asserted, 'The mass arrival of migrants was not expected,' according to a statement by a Spanish official. The Moroccan government has refused to be used as a 'pre-election political pawn' and does not accept being made the 'scapegoat in political score-settling.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.