Moroccan Navy Vessels Entered Spanish Waters During Ceuta Crisis, Sanchez Says
El Pais said at least one frigate and several patrol boats crossed without authorization, deepening tensions after a mass migrant surge.
- On Monday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acknowledged that Moroccan naval vessels entered Spanish waters off Ceuta without permission during late July's migrant crisis, ending 74 days of government silence.
- Tensions stem from Rabat's longstanding sovereignty claims over Ceuta, which complicated maritime enforcement when over 72,000 migrants crossed into the North African enclave during late July, triggering a humanitarian crisis.
- Spanish daily El País reported that Moroccan frigates and patrol boats sailed through sovereign waters without authorization, forcing a Spanish frigate to intercept and repel them, described by sources as an "intentional and repeated violation."
- King Felipe and Queen Letizia are scheduled to visit Ceuta on Tuesday and Wednesday, an event that could exacerbate bilateral tensions as opposition leaders condemn the government's secrecy.
- Approaching the November 29 general election, the revelation adds political pressure, while the European Parliament previously labeled the migration surge as 'hybrid warfare' against the European Union's only land border in Africa.
93 Articles
93 Articles
On October 12, in the corrillos of the Royal Palace and on the eve of the visit of the Kings to Ceuta and Melilla, Pedro Sánchez was forced to
Moroccan warships entered Ceuta waters in July during and after the migrant crisis, violating Spanish sovereignty over the North African territory, which is also claimed by Rabat, media reported on Monday.
Rabat has been scrutinizing for months every statement by PP and Vox leaders to a possible coalition government, while Sanchez now confirms that warships entered Ceuta at the end of July
Moroccan Warships Breached Ceuta Waters during Invasion, Sánchez Admits 74 Days On
Pedro Sánchez has admitted that Moroccan warships repeatedly entered Spanish waters during the Ceuta crisis, ending 74 days of silence as more than 80,000 illegal migrants invaded the enclave. The revelation deepens scrutiny of a failed government that downplayed the emergency, defended Morocco and withheld the full scale of a direct attack on Spanish sovereignty.
Spanish PM Sanchez: Unauthorized Moroccan navy ships entered Spanish waters during Ceuta crisis
"We must acknowledge that, between two neighboring countries, such isolated incidents do occur," TVE quoted Sanchez as saying. It did not quote Sanchez addressing the specifics of the El Pais report.
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- 47% of the sources are Center
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