Madrid – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told national broadcaster TVE on Monday that Moroccan naval vessels entered Spanish waters off the North African enclave of Ceuta without permission after the massive migrant crossing at the end of July. He described the incursions as isolated incidents and emphasized the importance of maintaining smooth naval cooperation with Morocco.
Background to the incident
At the end of July, more than 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, creating a humanitarian and diplomatic crisis that continues to affect Spain as it prepares for an early election on November 29. According to El País, citing unnamed sources, at least one Moroccan frigate and several patrol boats sailed through Spanish sovereign waters without seeking authorization. A Spanish frigate was dispatched to intercept the Moroccan warships and escort them out of Spanish waters.
Sánchez’s response
“We must acknowledge that, between two neighbouring countries, such isolated incidents do occur,” Sánchez said, as quoted by TVE. He added, “We are neighbours. Those were intense days, but cooperation between the navies remains smooth, regardless of that incident.” The prime minister underscored that relations with Morocco are “very important” for Spain.
Diplomatic context
The remarks came ahead of a planned visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Ceuta on Tuesday and Wednesday, a trip that could heighten tensions. Morocco continues to claim sovereignty over Ceuta and the nearby enclave of Melilla, a stance that fuels ongoing diplomatic friction.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI recently warned that the cooperation model on migration with Spain had reached its limits, criticizing Spanish court decisions that impede the repatriation of minors and asylum seekers as “obsolete.” While most migrants returned in the weeks following the July surge, thousands remain in Ceuta.
The Spanish government did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, and the Moroccan foreign ministry could not be reached for immediate comment.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
