MOROCCAN warships entered Spanish waters on the same day the Ceuta migrant crisis began to unfold, it has been revealed, sparking fresh questions over border security in Spain’s north African enclaves.
At least one Moroccan frigate and several patrol boats entered waters claimed by Spain without authorisation on July 30 and 31 – just as more than 72,000 migrants poured into Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco.
The mass border breach was the largest single-day arrival of irregular migrants in European Union history, leading to hundreds of deaths, triggering a diplomatic dispute with Italy and intensifying criticism of embattled prime minister Pedro Sanchez.
According to El Pais, the naval incursions allegedly continued into early August, bringing Spanish and Moroccan military vessels dangerously close to a collision or confrontation.
The Spanish navy eventually deployed additional vessels to deter further incursions.
Speaking to journalists during National Day celebrations in Madrid, Sanchez acknowledged the incidents – despite previously remaining tightlipped about Rabat’s involvement in the crisis.
But he sought to play down their significance, telling reporters: “We are geographical neighbours and these kinds of incidents happen. It did happen, but it was resolved through dialogue at the highest level.”
The prime minister said communication between the two countries had been ‘very fluid’ and insisted there had been no similar incidents since.
Spain deployed the navy patrol vessel Rayo to the region on August 3 to aid the official response, followed quickly by the frigate Santa Maria, which was later replaced by the Navarra after suffering a breakdown.
The waters around Ceuta remain a sensitive issue between Rabat and Madrid.
Spain claims a 12 nautical-mile territorial sea around its enclave, but Morocco does not recognise the claim as part of a long-running dispute over the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla – the two pockets of Spanish territory on the north African coast.
The revelation comes just a day before King Felipe is due to visit Ceuta and Melilla for the first time as monarch.
The last royal visit was made by Felipe’s disgraced father Juan Carlos in November 2007, sparking a diplomatic row with Morocco.
The timing is also awkward for Sanchez as preparations begin to ramp up for next month’s general election.
READ MORE: ‘Questions to answer’: Pedro Sanchez finally points finger of blame at Morocco for Ceuta crisis
The PSOE leader called the snap vote last week after the right-wing opposition voted down his flagship housing reforms, sparking mass protests across the country.
Several leading figures in Sanchez’s party believe he can win the November 29 election on a pro-housing ticket, after the eviction and death of Maricarmen Abascal, 87, reignited anger over the country’s housing crisis.
But the recent bombshell will no doubt be latched onto by Sanchez’s adversaries in the right-wing Partido Popular (PP) and far-right Vox.
His government was heavily criticised over its handling of the Ceuta crisis, with opponents accusing the prime minister of being too lax on immigration and failing to protect Spain’s borders.
The latest revelations are likely to revive those attacks, threatening to destabilise Sanchez and his party as they prepare for next month’s crunch vote.
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