Rabat – Spanish intelligence services have warned that Ceuta and Melilla could face more covert or “gray zone” actions, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, sabotage, and attempts to use migration pressure, El Pais reported today.
The assessment comes one month after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta on July 30 and 31, creating one of the most serious migration crises the Spanish-occupied city has faced in years.
According to El Pais, Spanish intelligence considers a direct military action by Morocco against either city highly unlikely in the short and medium term. However, intelligence reports point to a possible increase in actions that remain below the level of open military conflict.
These so-called “gray zone” actions can include cyberattacks, online disinformation, attacks on infrastructure, and other activities that are difficult to attribute directly to a government.
The intelligence assessment also says that Morocco did not plan the mass entry into Ceuta. However, Spanish intelligence believes Rabat later tried to use the crisis to strengthen its position on Ceuta and Melilla, according to El País.
The report comes on the same day that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected claims that Morocco played a role in the mass migration. In an interview with Cadena SER, Sanchez said Spanish authorities had found no information that raised doubts about Morocco’s involvement. He also commended Morocco’s immediate cooperation during the crisis.
Spanish intelligence further identified the role of social media during the July crisis. According to El Pais, videos and messages circulated online showing how easily people could enter Ceuta and helped create an “attraction effect.” Intelligence services had warned about a viral call to cross into Spain before the mass entry, although they did not predict the scale of the movement.
The report additionally says authorities detected online messages calling for cyberattacks against Spain’s Foreign Ministry and possible sabotage of electricity infrastructure in Ceuta.
Spain has since increased security measures around the two North African cities and sought greater European support to manage the migration crisis.
The country has requested additional support from the European Union to manage migrants remaining in Ceuta, including assistance from agencies like Frontex, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), and Europol.
