Spanish Intelligence Services Issue Warning Ahead of Migrant Influx
Recent documents have revealed that Spain's National Intelligence Centre (CNI) alerted both Moroccan authorities and Madrid about imminent plans to storm Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, just one day before a massive influx of over 70,000 migrants occurred. This critical information was disclosed on September 9, 2026, highlighting the urgency and severity of the situation as Spanish soldiers patrolled the area following a series of mass crossings from Morocco.
In a note dated July 29, the CNI warned its counterparts in Morocco's intelligence agencies, DGST and DGED, about social media discussions regarding potential attempts by migrants to breach the border fence or swim around it, particularly during Morocco's national Throne Day celebrations. The intelligence noted that two separate groups with a combined following of 180,000 individuals were actively planning this endeavor, underscoring the scale of the upcoming crisis.
Despite the early warning from CNI, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that there was no indication of the magnitude of the migrant surge that occurred on July 30. He emphasized that, based on his experience and the information available to him at the time, he was unaware of any intelligence suggesting such a large-scale event was imminent. This assertion was echoed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who stated that no evidence suggested that Moroccan authorities orchestrated the crossing, although reports from Spain's Interior Ministry indicated a lack of response from Moroccan border police during the incident.
In the aftermath of this crisis, more than 10,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remain in Ceuta, living in makeshift camps or on the streets, which has sparked daily protests from local residents dissatisfied with the Spanish government's handling of the situation. The release of the intelligence documents has intensified scrutiny regarding the operational decisions made by officials leading up to the crisis, raising questions about whether adequate measures were in place to manage the situation effectively. The Spanish government subsequently published 40 intelligence reports related to the Ceuta migration crisis that occurred between July 1 and July 31, revealing that the situation had been deteriorating in the days leading up to the mass crossing.
As reported by usnews.com.
