World · Africa · 1 hr ago
Moroccan warships entered Ceuta’s waters during 2021 migrant crisis
Moroccan warships entered waters claimed by Spain near Ceuta on July 30 and 31, 2021, and continued incursions in the first days of August.
The naval incidents took place as more than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta by land and sea.
Spanish officials quoted in the account said the ships’ entries were repeated and deliberate, not accidental.
Spain sent patrol ships, including the Rayo and two frigates, to strengthen surveillance.
Spanish and Moroccan vessels came close to colliding.
Spain considers the sea up to 12 nautical miles from Ceuta’s coast to be its territorial waters, but Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the city or its surrounding waters.
The report says the incursions stopped after Spain’s naval deployment and high-level talks by its Defence Ministry with Moroccan authorities.
It does not establish whether the naval actions were coordinated with the migrant arrivals.
More than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco on foot and by swimming on July 30 and 31, 2021, according to the article.
At least one Moroccan frigate and several patrol boats entered waters claimed by Spain without permission, the article says.
The naval incursions continued into early August and brought Spanish and Moroccan military vessels close to a collision.
Spain sent naval vessels to reinforce surveillance, and the incursions stopped after a senior-level Defence Ministry intervention.
Spain considers the waters around Ceuta its territorial waters, while Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the city or its waters.
- Who
- Moroccan Royal Navy vessels and the Spanish Navy. More than 70,000 migrants also entered Ceuta during the crisis.
- What
- Moroccan warships entered waters claimed by Spain without permission during the migrant crisis.
- When
- July 30 and 31, 2021, with naval incursions continuing into the first days of August.
- Where
- The waters around Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on the coast of North Africa.
- Why
- Not stated
Spain
Morocco
Waters around Ceuta
Spain
Spain considers the 12 nautical miles from the coastline to be its territorial waters.
Morocco
Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta or its waters.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
More than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco, and Moroccan naval vessels entered waters claimed by Spain.
Moroccan naval incursions continued, and vessels from the two countries came close to colliding.
The Spanish maritime action vessel Rayo arrived in Ceuta to reinforce surveillance of its waters.
The Spanish frigates Santa María and Navarra docked in Ceuta for several hours to transfer embarked Marine Infantry equipment.
- Migrant arrivals
- More than 70,000
- Initial naval incursions
- July 30–31, 2021
- Moroccan vessels
- At least one frigate and several patrol boats
- Spanish vessel
- Rayo arrived in Ceuta on August 3
- Frigate transfer
- Santa María and Navarra docked in Ceuta on August 6
Sources
Related news
At least 72 gold miners killed in strike near Sudan-Egypt border
Somalia faces severe child malnutrition as aid and health services fall short
At least 139 migrants dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti
Amnesty documents alleged illegal surveillance of Moroccan journalists and activists
At least 109 dead after migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti
Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for work on peace and international law
Algeria arrests 61 Moroccans over alleged sabotage plans
Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for work promoting international law
Nobel laureate Navi Pillay condemns US sanctions on International Criminal Court
Drone strike on displaced people’s camp in Sudan kills 41, rights group says
Ethiopia and Eritrea trade accusations as tensions rise in Tigray
