Spain finds no proof Morocco planned Ceuta border surge

Spain has found no conclusive evidence that Moroccan authorities organised or deliberately carried out a mass migrant crossing into the Spanish

MADRID: Spain has found no conclusive evidence that Moroccan authorities organised or deliberately carried out a mass migrant crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told parliament on Thursday.

Sanchez’s statement came after a police report suggested that the large-scale border crossing was not a spontaneous movement of migrants. The report described it as a planned and gradual operation aimed at overwhelming border controls.

Addressing lawmakers, Sanchez said the Spanish government had not received credible evidence from diplomatic authorities, European institutions or international organisations proving that Morocco had planned or executed the incident.

However, he acknowledged that Moroccan security forces allowed migrants to cross during a crucial 10-hour period on July 30, when the number of arrivals reached its highest level.

Spanish authorities have not yet established whether the Moroccan Gendarmerie failed to control the situation or was unable to contain the rapidly growing crowd.

The police report examined by officials said Moroccan security forces initially appeared in smaller numbers than usual around the Tarajal breakwater, a key crossing area between Morocco and Ceuta.

According to the report, the security personnel did not make a significant effort to disperse the gathering during the critical period.

It also alleged that some uniformed Moroccan officers appeared to direct people towards the crossing point. Other unidentified individuals were reportedly seen guiding or monitoring the movement of migrants.

Despite these observations, the report did not identify specific Moroccan officers as responsible for the incident. It also did not provide independently verified evidence showing that Moroccan authorities had ordered the mass crossing.

The allegations have added to political pressure over Spain’s handling of the deadly border incident and its diplomatic relations with Morocco.

Moroccan authorities have rejected claims that they deliberately facilitated the crossing.

Sanchez’s comments indicate that Madrid is distinguishing between the reported failure to prevent the mass movement and allegations that the Moroccan government actively organised it.

The Spanish government is expected to face further questions over the incident as authorities continue examining what happened during the unprecedented surge at the Ceuta border.