Spain and Morocco: The Tensions Surrounding Ceuta and Melilla
Amid unprecedented tensions between Madrid and Washington regarding the use of Spanish military bases in the conflict against Iran, a discourse has resurfaced in Spain suggesting the potential reclamation of Ceuta and Melilla by Morocco with American support. This notion, fueled by certain political stances and amplified through media channels, currently seems more like a fantasy than a reflection of genuine diplomatic dynamics. The relationship between Spain and the United States has reached a rocky juncture, exacerbated by Spain's objection to allowing Washington to utilize its military installations for operations against Iran. These bases, located in Rota on the Costa de la Luz and Morón near Seville, have been central to the ongoing discourse.
On March 2, 2026, just two days after the commencement of American strikes against Iran, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares publicly affirmed on RTVE that Spain would not permit the bases to be used for any actions not aligned with the United Nations Charter. This stance was echoed by Defense Minister Margarita Robles, reinforcing Spain's commitment to maintaining its sovereignty over its military assets. In response, President Donald Trump threatened to terminate all trade relations with Spain, proclaiming that his administration would no longer engage with the country. This led to the reassignment of several American aircraft from Rota and Morón to other nations, including Germany and France, indicating a significant shift in military presence in the region.
Compounding these tensions, recent reports suggest that the United States may consider suspending Spain from NATO, an unprecedented move for a member state since its accession in 1982. An internal Pentagon email, disclosed by Reuters, indicated that Spain's refusal to allow U.S. military access to its bases could be interpreted as a violation of NATO's fundamental access rights, known as ABO (access, basing, and overflight), which are crucial for member countries to conduct military operations. Furthermore, long before the Iranian conflict, Trump had expressed his dissatisfaction with Spain for not meeting military spending commitments set at 5% of GDP, hinting at possible exclusion from NATO if these conditions were not met.
Ceuta and Melilla: The Spanish Discourse and Moroccan Perspectives
While the conflict appears primarily to be an American-Spanish issue, many on the Moroccan side of the Strait of Gibraltar have begun to view developments with growing suspicion, particularly concerning Ceuta and Melilla. On March 16, 2026, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and current analyst at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, stirred controversy by suggesting that Morocco should launch a "New Green March" to reclaim its territories. His argument, albeit somewhat satirical, pointed out that if Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez continuously raised the issue of decolonization concerning Palestinian territories, he should first address the illegitimate hold Spain has on Ceuta and Melilla, which are not protected under NATO treaties as they are not located in Europe. Rubin argued that any military attempt by Morocco to reclaim these territories would not activate NATO's Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Responses within Spain have not been slow to materialize, particularly from right-wing and far-right factions, who suggest that Morocco might exploit the current discord between Spain and the United States to advance its claims over Ceuta and Melilla. This narrative has been further inflated by the strengthening relationship between Morocco and the United States since December 2020, which has seen increasing cooperation across various sectors. In conclusion, while the idea of a Moroccan-American front for the reclamation of these presidios is largely speculative, it highlights the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play and raises questions about the future of Spain's territorial integrity in the face of shifting international alliances.
As reported by medias24.com.
