Morocco is reportedly rapidly strengthening its air defenses in the north of the country. Radars, artillery and anti-aircraft systems are said to be deployed to form a “bubble” whose coverage could, according to a Spanish military source, reach southern Spain.
A former head of Spanish military intelligence claims that his country could neutralize Morocco within 24 hours if Rabat attacked Ceuta. Aircraft, ships, ports, airports and communications would be targeted in a retaliation that would go far beyond defending the enclave.
Algerians now account for 42% of irregular arrivals recorded on the Western Mediterranean route to Spain, compared with 22% for Moroccans. This reversal has been confirmed by the International Organization for Migration.
Orange Maroc will remove an advertisement installed on a Spanish motorway. The map of the Kingdom shown on the billboard included the Sahara and did not mark the borders of Ceuta and Melilla, sparking two separate controversies in Spain.
As Spanish media discuss energy levers that could be used against Morocco following the Ceuta crisis, a power cut plunged the Congress Defence Committee into darkness as it met to hear Minister Margarita Robles.
Morocco is gradually advancing its interests vis-à-vis Spain by combining immigration, the economy, energy and territorial claims, without crossing the threshold of open conflict. This is the analysis of Samuel Morales, a Spanish lieutenant colonel specializing in so-called “grey zone” strategies.
Ahmed Toufiq mentioned Ceuta before Mohammed VI before recalling the use of a Sufi work in the mobilization of Moroccans to “liberate the occupied territories.” Amid heightened tensions with Spain, this sequence has drawn attention, without constituting an official claim.
The president of UD Las Palmas, Miguel Ángel Ramírez, launched a verbal attack against Morocco before a match in Ceuta. The club executive asserted the Canaries’ Spanish identity and promised to mobilize his club if it were challenged.
Several studies published within Spain’s Ministry of Defence environment analyse migration flows as a possible instrument of pressure in relations between states. Three works devoted to Morocco, hybrid threats and Spanish strategy place migration crises at the heart of Madrid’s security considerations.
Spain refuses to confirm whether its MQ-9 Predator Bs have been involved in monitoring Ceuta since the crisis with Morocco. Asked directly, the Defence Staff neither confirmed nor denied their use.
Spain is toughening its response to Moroccan claims over Ceuta and Melilla. Following new statements by Abdellatif Ouahbi, Madrid says it has directly conveyed to Morocco, through diplomatic channels, its “categorical rejection” of any challenge to its sovereignty over the two cities.
Apple Maps displays several territories administered by Spain and claimed by Morocco as being located in Morocco. This is a particularly sensitive depiction as sovereignty over Spain’s North African enclaves continues to divide Rabat and Madrid.