Intelligence alerts issued over multiple days warned the Spanish government of a mass migrant influx into Ceuta, according to military and civilian intelligence sources cited by The Objective. The warnings culminated just hours before tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into the North African exclave, creating the largest migration crisis in the autonomous city’s history.
Intelligence Warnings and Border Crossings
Intelligence services had warned that King Mohammed VI might make a border gesture coinciding with Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations, according to intelligence officials consulted by The Objective. Initial warnings included reports of migrants swimming across from Fnideq—known as Castillejos in Spanish—along with buses transporting people toward the border from various parts of Morocco. Over a roughly ten-day period, nearly 1,000 individuals swam into Ceuta, prompting intelligence officials to assess the movement as a test by Moroccan authorities.
Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo stated during an appearance in Ceuta that the Spanish Government had been aware of the situation since the previous Monday. Ultimately, between 60,000 and 75,000 migrants crossed into the exclave. Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that approximately 53,000 people returned to Morocco in the days following the event.
Security Forces and Military Deployment Criticism
Civil Guard and National Police officers stationed at the Tarajal border crossing found themselves unable to stem the influx and shifted their focus to assisting the injured, multiple sources reported. Sources speaking to The Objective criticized Madrid for failing to deploy the army immediately, noting that military units in both Ceuta and Melilla remained on standby. “They could have been mobilized without prior meetings, simply following a political decision and an order from the operations command,” the sources said.
Personnel deployed to the area observed that the Moroccan gendarmerie stood “with their arms folded” as migrants attempted the crossing along the breakwater and the border access road, where individuals climbed fences and roofs. Civil Guard sources distinguished this event from the May 2021 crisis, when Morocco relaxed border controls following Spain’s admission of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali. In this instance, swimming arrivals had increased for weeks, fueled in part by a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that prohibited the immediate return of migrants reaching Spanish territory by swimming.
Governmental Response and Official Statements
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez characterized the mass entry as a “violation of Spain’s territorial integrity,” attributing the incident to people-smuggling networks that exploited the Supreme Court ruling to encourage thousands of crossings. Sánchez maintained that Moroccan authorities cooperated “swiftly and consistently” from the beginning and noted that Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska had reinforced border security as sea arrivals grew. This reinforcement added roughly thirty officers and a boat that subsequently broke down.
Despite repeated intelligence alerts, the Ministry of the Interior delayed ordering reinforcements until late Thursday, when the army deployed alongside additional Civil Guard and National Police personnel. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry maintained that cooperation with Morocco remained “exemplary, loyal and permanent.”
Did you know?
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, approximately 53,000 of the 60,000 to 75,000 migrants who entered Ceuta returned to Morocco in the days following the crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many migrants crossed into Ceuta during the crisis?
Between 60,000 and 75,000 migrants crossed into the autonomous city, making it the largest migration crisis in Ceuta’s history, according to reports from intelligence sources and media outlets.
Did Spanish intelligence warn the government in advance?
Yes. According to military and civilian intelligence sources cited by The Objective, intelligence alerts were issued over several days, warning officials of a potential mass arrival tied to Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations.
What role did the Spanish military play?
Military units stationed in Ceuta and Melilla were on standby, but the Ministry of the Interior did not order their deployment until late Thursday, drawing criticism from security personnel who argued the army could have been mobilized sooner.
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