Rabat – Spanish intelligence and security services warned authorities days before the deadly migration surge into the occupied city of Ceuta that a large-scale crossing from Morocco was likely, according to a report by El Faro de Ceuta.
The report says that multiple intelligence reports were sent to Madrid ahead of the July 30-31 crossings, contradicting repeated statements by Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska that no prior warnings had been issued.
The claims come as a judge at Spain’s National Court continues investigating the events surrounding the mass crossing into the enclave, which left nearly 100 people dead according to Spanish media reports.
According to El Faro, Judge María Tardón has requested reports from both the Spanish Civil Guard and National Police detailing their response to the crisis and whether they received intelligence warning of the crossings beforehand.
Citing unnamed sources within Spain’s intelligence and security services, the newspaper said police information units monitored social media activity in Morocco that suggested preparations for a mass attempt to enter Ceuta.
The sources said intelligence reports warned that the most likely date for such an operation would be July 30, coinciding with Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations.
Although officials expected a repeat of the May 2021 migration crisis, the report said the actual number of arrivals far exceeded those estimates, with tens of thousands entering Ceuta over two days.
El Faro also claimed that Spain’s National Intelligence Center (CNI) issued warnings between July 21 and 22, identifying the same timeframe for a possible mass crossing.
According to the report, intelligence assessments linked the heightened migration pressure to several factors, including tensions involving Algeria, controversy surrounding the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and increasing population movements toward northern Morocco.
The newspaper said it had published several reports before the crossings highlighting growing migration activity. On July 26, it warned of worsening conditions at the border, and on July 27, it reported that the situation could surpass the May 2021 crisis after more than 1,000 people reportedly attempted to swim into Ceuta within hours.
El Faro also cited increasing numbers of people traveling north from southern Morocco and what it described as reduced border enforcement along coastal areas.
The report argues that these warning signs should have prompted a stronger diplomatic and security response before the crisis unfolded.
It further claims that frontline intelligence officers insist they fulfilled their duty by documenting their observations in official reports, leaving political leaders responsible for deciding whether to act on the information.
The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis.
