Morocco was reportedly aware of a significant influx of migrants preparing to enter the North African city of Ceuta on July 30 and 31. According to a report from Spanish intelligence services, Moroccan authorities were “fully aware that this flow was about to happen,” as reported by EFE on Friday.
The document from the National Intelligence Center (CNI), which EFE accessed, has been submitted to judge Maria Tardon at the Audiencia Nacional, who is investigating the circumstances surrounding the migratory surge affecting this Spanish city from Morocco.
The report indicates that over 80,000 individuals crossed into Ceuta, noting that Moroccan authorities had detailed knowledge of social media calls urging this entry during Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations. “These authorities were fully aware that this flow would occur,” the CNI added.
It also highlighted that, in terms of prior awareness of the threat, alongside a warning sent by the CNI, Moroccan intelligence and police forces were “absolutely conscious that an abnormal situation was developing.”
The report described this situation as abnormal in terms of potential irregular entry attempts, emphasizing that Moroccan authorities were aware of “a significant increase in the influx of migrants in the days leading up to this event.”
Furthermore, the document asserts that operationally, there was “no proactive reaction from Moroccan authorities in response to losing control over the situation,” referring to the large number of migrants wanting to enter Ceuta.
Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish enclaves on the North African coast of the Mediterranean Sea, are completely surrounded by Morocco and represent the only land borders between the European Union and Africa. At the end of July, Ceuta experienced a wave of tens of thousands of irregular migrants, most of whom have already returned to Morocco according to the Madrid government. This situation has led to a diplomatic crisis between Spain and Italy.
