Spain rules out claims of Moroccan involvement in Ceuta migrant crisis
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has ruled out the possibility that Morocco's government supported a mass of migrants who sought to enter the Spanish exclave of Ceuta last month. He said European Union intelligence showed “without doubt” that Morocco played no part in the more than 70,000 people crossing the border from Morocco into Ceuta, an autonomous city on the North African coast that…
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has firmly denied any involvement of Morocco in the recent migrant crisis at Ceuta. According to European Union intelligence, "without doubt" Morocco played no role in the influx of over 70,000 migrants into Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast. Sanchez, speaking on Monday, stated that there was no evidence to suggest Morocco was behind the mass border crossing that occurred in July.
Approximately 5,000 migrants who entered Ceuta have remained, with 1,200 of them being children. The Spanish government has made efforts to resolve the status of these children. Sanchez attributes the crisis to Russia and Israel spreading disinformation, as well as Spain's support for Palestinian statehood and condemnation of civilian suffering in the Middle East.
Most migrants entered Ceuta for economic reasons and will be returned to Morocco, with 6,000 accommodation places available in the city. Italy has extended travel restrictions for Spanish citizens for an additional 15 days due to the crisis, impacting Spain's relationship with right-wing European governments. Sanchez faces domestic pressure, as his Socialist party's popularity has dropped, with polls showing a 20-seat loss in the upcoming elections.
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