In the wake of the recent invasion of Ceuta, Morocco has constructed a new gate in the Spanish border area at Tarajal, enabling it to regulate the flow of individuals entering and leaving the autonomous city. ABC has obtained images that illustrate the installation of this new barrier in a region that Moroccan authorities have claimed and now monitor with military presence, as reported by police sources.
Officials from Moncloa, when consulted by ABC, assert that these images depict Moroccan territory. They claim that Rabat has established a "second fence" to facilitate the return of individuals who are not achieving their goals of legalizing their status in Spain and continuing into the European Union. This narrative starkly contrasts with the accounts from security and police sources that ABC has contacted, highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding the situation.
The new gate was welded into place in early August, prompting unease and suspicion among members of the State Security Forces. Many critics express concern that Morocco aims to leverage this installation as a tool to control migratory flows into Ceuta. "They can open and close it at will," lament security sources, emphasizing the implications for border management.
Currently, the gate is open, allowing dozens of immigrants who entered during the invasion to return to Morocco, as they have not achieved their objectives of regularization in Spain. However, the ultimate authority over this access lies with Morocco, which raises further questions about sovereignty and control.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this situation is that the construction of this barrier has occurred in an area historically recognized as Spanish territory. Videos captured during the invasion on July 30 were disseminated by La Moncloa days later, underscoring the complexities of territorial claims. "This is territory under Spanish legal sovereignty, currently subjected to de facto occupation or operational control by the Kingdom of Morocco. In Ceuta, it was known as 'no man's land,' although it is clearly Spanish territory, as the Moroccan border is demarcated elsewhere. Spain has effectively delayed its border to create an intermediate zone, which Morocco has now claimed," explain police sources to ABC.
Further compounding the situation, Moroccan authorities constructed the gate without consulting their Spanish counterparts, according to sources consulted by ABC. In practice, Moroccan military personnel are present in the area, a task that does not fall under their jurisdiction in this territory, creating an atmosphere of tension and unease.
Members of the State Security Forces have expressed their discontent, perceiving that Morocco continues to assert its control over the border with Spain. This gate has become a flashpoint for frustration among those tasked with overseeing the security of Ceuta, as they feel Morocco is unyielding in its approach and unwilling to cooperate.
The heightened tensions come as Morocco approaches elections on September 23, during which nationalist rhetoric advocating for control over Ceuta and Melilla has intensified. In response, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has warned that he will not tolerate any doubts or comments regarding Spain's territorial integrity, particularly concerning the claims from Moroccan ministers about Ceuta and Melilla, remarks that he argues "degrade" the bilateral relationship.
During an interview on TVE, Albares further noted that he traveled to Brussels to advocate for a stronger "anchoring" of Ceuta and Melilla within the EU framework. He emphasized the need to prevent a repeat of the mass influx of migrants experienced on July 30 and 31, reinforcing the idea that the geographical specificity of these two cities makes them the "most complex border to manage on the planet," a reality that Brussels needs to acknowledge. The government is seeking assurances to facilitate effective decision-making, reaffirming that Ceuta and Melilla are matters of state, calling for unity and responsibility from all political forces and the judicial system.
Additionally, the organization Hazte Oír delivered nearly 40,000 signatures to the Spanish Congress, demanding urgent legal reform to "protect Ceuta" and prevent another mass entry akin to that observed in July. They urge parliamentary groups to prioritize national security, sovereignty, and the defense of Spanish borders over party interests, addressing the legal void that hampers effective border rejection for those attempting to enter Ceuta or Melilla illegally by sea. Hazte Oír is calling on Congress to amend the Immigration Law to close this gap and provide the State Security Forces with effective tools to combat irregular entries.
As reported by abc.es.
