Morocco Renews Claims to Ceuta and Melilla as Tens of Thousands of Migrants Breach Borders
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Aug 5
Morocco Renews Claims to Ceuta and Melilla as Tens of Thousands of Migrants Breach Borders
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Aug 5
Summary
Morocco has intensified its claim to Spain’s North African enclaves Ceuta and Melilla after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the territories last week, putting Madrid on the defensive.
The scale and ease of the crossings sharpened Spanish fears that the enclaves are vulnerable to a hybrid attack, turning a migration crisis into a sovereignty and security challenge.
Rabat is pressing that advantage through state-aligned media, portraying Ceuta and Melilla as occupied territory while relations with U.S. President Donald Trump have grown warmer.
Spain’s anxiety has been compounded by doubts over how firmly NATO allies in the U.S. and EU would back Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez amid political feuds, widening the dispute beyond border control.