Key facts
- Morocco's Minister of Islamic Affairs referred to Spanish cities Ceuta and Melilla as 'occupied' during a royal ceremony.
- Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces criticism from domestic parties for his conciliatory approach to Morocco.
- Morocco's Justice Minister previously called for discussions on the future of Ceuta and Melilla, citing historic rights.
- The migrant influx into Ceuta, exceeding 70,000, has intensified political pressure on Sánchez.
- Some Spanish politicians and analysts link Morocco's assertiveness to its strategic alliances with the U.S. and Israel, and Sánchez's foreign policy positions.
Morocco has intensified its territorial claims on Spain's North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla, a move perceived by some as a strategic maneuver linked to international alliances and domestic political pressures. The escalating rhetoric follows a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta, exacerbating tensions between the two nations.
Moroccan Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq's reference to liberating 'occupied cities' at a royal ceremony attended by King Mohammed VI has heightened concerns in Spain. This follows a recent call by Morocco's Justice Minister for discussions on the future of Ceuta and Melilla, citing Morocco's historic and geographical rights.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing mounting criticism from domestic political parties for his perceived soft approach to Morocco. Opposition leaders, including Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the People's Party and Santiago Abascal of Vox, have accused Rabat of blackmail and threats, with some labeling the events an 'act of war' and 'hybrid war.' The junior partner in Sánchez's coalition, Sumar, has even called for Morocco to be stripped of its co-host status for the 2030 World Cup.
Some observers suggest Morocco's actions are intended to demonstrate its strategic value to allies like U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel, potentially targeting Sánchez due to his foreign policy stances on Iran and Gaza. King Mohammed's close ties with Trump and his engagement with Israel are noted in this context. Morocco, however, denies such motivations and attributes the migrant surge to online disinformation.
Experts like Riccardo Fabiani of the International Crisis Group suggest Morocco may be signaling to Israel and the U.S. that it has 'humiliated Spain,' leveraging migration as a known tactic. The historical precedent of Morocco's 1975 'Green March' to claim Spanish Sahara looms large, fueling concerns that Rabat could engineer a situation to annex Ceuta and Melilla.
Former Spanish ambassador Jorge Dezcallar warns that concessions to Morocco are perceived as weakness, while Professor Jacob Mundy highlights the complex, often 'prickly' relationship where Morocco has found ways to exert leverage despite Spain's larger economy. Spain's 2022 decision to back Rabat's proposal for Western Sahara's control, aimed at securing cooperation on migration, may have inadvertently emboldened Morocco to press its claims on Ceuta and Melilla.