More than 70,000 people attempted to enter Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Arrests and transfers inland began only after arrivals by land and sea had peaked, and stronger deterrent measures came later, a Spanish intelligence report says.
The report sent to the Audiencia Nacional says Moroccan authorities knew days in advance that a mass entry into Ceuta was expected in late July. The CNI links the weak response to the priority given to security for the Fiesta del Trono, attended by Mohamed VI in nearby Rincón.
Spanish intelligence says Moroccan authorities knew the situation was unusual and had seen a clear rise in migrant arrivals near Ceuta. On 29 July, the CNI sent a warning note to the court. The next day, the head of the Government Delegation’s cabinet told the CNI office in Ceuta that the situation remained worrying. He also said Morocco had reportedly agreed to return people entering the city.
The CNI had flagged social media calls to cross into Ceuta, with an estimated audience of about 180,000 users. It warned that arrivals could exceed the episode recorded in 2021 if 10% tried to make the crossing. The cabinet chief questioned whether the estimate of online users was too high.
Europa Press reports that the document was prepared in response to questions from investigating judge María Tardón. It draws on inquiries into the entries on 30 and 31 July, when more than 70,000 people attempted to reach the Spanish autonomous city. The report runs to about 20 pages.
Until the day before the mass entry, Moroccan authorities had actively intercepted people trying to swim across, the basic method used up to that point. As the number of people attempting to enter rose sharply, the CNI observed an inadequate deployment and a passive response. The report says Moroccan authorities took no proactive steps after losing control. The CNI places the mass entry at about 11:00 on 30 July.
The Gendarmerie set up controls, but the report says they failed to contain arrivals near Ceuta. On 29 July, Moroccan authorities had deployed more Auxiliary Forces near the border dyke by Castillejos after detecting a marked increase in flows. Earlier coverage of Felipe VI’s Ceuta visit also addressed the city’s sovereignty debate.
After the entries, Moroccan authorities provided facilities and temporary shelters. They also established a field hospital.
Buses took returnees to different towns inside Morocco.
