Politics · Spain · 2 hrs ago
Feijóo urges Spain to deploy navy off Ceuta over alleged Moroccan incursions
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo urged Spain to take a firm response to alleged Moroccan naval incursions near Ceuta.
He called for Spain’s navy to be sent to the area and for diplomatic steps, including summoning Morocco’s ambassador and consulting Spain’s ambassador in Rabat.
The dispute concerns Moroccan vessels reported in Spanish waters near the North African city.
Spanish government sources say ships entered the waters on 30 and 31 July, but describe the episode as isolated and say there were no incidents afterward.
Civil Guard sources deny a recent reported incursion, saying they have no record of an unauthorized entry by a Moroccan patrol boat.
Feijóo says the alleged actions amount to repeated aggression, while the government has described the earlier episode as limited.
He is also seeking an explanation from the government and has asked for a parliamentary appearance; the sources do not say whether his demands will be met.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo urged Spain’s government to deploy the navy off Ceuta and take diplomatic steps over alleged Moroccan vessel incursions.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska denied that further incursions had occurred and described the July events as a single incident resolved through coordination between the two countries.
Feijóo said Moroccan vessels had entered Spanish waters on multiple occasions in late July and early August, and called for a firm response.
The accounts differ on whether incursions continued after 30 and 31 July.
The dispute was reported on 16 October 2026.
- Who
- Alberto Núñez Feijóo called for action; Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska rejected his account of further incursions.
- What
- Feijóo urged the government to deploy the navy off Ceuta and take diplomatic steps over alleged Moroccan vessel incursions.
- When
- The dispute was reported on 16 October 2026. The reported naval incident took place on 30 and 31 July, with El País saying incursions continued in early August.
- Where
- Spanish waters off Ceuta; Feijóo made his appeal at an event in Toledo and in a post on X.
- Why
- Feijóo said Moroccan vessels had challenged Spanish sovereignty and required a firm response. Marlaska said there had been no further incursions and described the July incident as limited.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Fernando Grande-Marlaska
Further incursions
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo said Moroccan naval incursions in Spanish waters were repeated and continued into early August.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska
Marlaska said he firmly denied that further incursions had occurred and that the government had no record of other Moroccan vessels or communications through the chain of command.
Response
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo called for the navy to be deployed off Ceuta, diplomatic steps and a firm response to Morocco.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska
Marlaska described the request as confrontational and backward-looking, and said the July incident was resolved through coordination between the countries.
Marlaska said a single incident occurred and was resolved through coordination; El País reported that Moroccan naval vessels entered Spanish waters.
El País said Moroccan naval incursions continued during the first days of the month and stopped after Spanish naval deployment and high-level Defence Ministry action.
Feijóo urged the government to respond to Morocco, while Marlaska denied further incursions and criticized the call for a naval deployment.
- Feijóo’s demand
- Deploy the Spanish navy off Ceuta
- Diplomatic measures sought
- Summon Morocco’s ambassador and call Spain’s ambassador in Rabat for consultations
- Reported incident dates
- 30 and 31 July
- Reported vessels
- At least one Moroccan frigate and several patrol boats, according to El País
- Marlaska’s account
- A single incident with no further events known to the government
- Date of statements
- 16 October 2026
4 sources
Defensa cambia los protocolos tras la incursión de buques marroquíes el 30 de julio en Ceuta: "Ya no esperamos para actuar"
Marlaska replica a Feijóo que desplegar la Armada en Ceuta es "mirar al pasado"
Feijóo reclama “desplegar la Armada” en aguas de Ceuta por la entrada de buques marroquíes
What people are saying
I firmly deny that there have been further incursions, so it is very curious that Feijóo says that.
The continuous challenges to national sovereignty cannot be hidden.
deploy the Navy in the area
Between two states there must be cooperation and good neighborly relations.
Posts on X
Varias invasiones marroquíes en aguas españolas no son un hecho puntual, sino una agresión reiterada que exige una respuesta firme: Desplegar a la Armada en la zona. Convocar a la embajadora de Marruecos. Llamar a consultas a nuestro embajador en Rabat. Pedir explicaciones