POLITICO: Spain faces doubts over allied support amid Ceuta tensions

Spain may not be able to fully rely on its NATO and European Union allies in the event of a crisis over Ceuta because of political disagreements with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, POLITICO reports.

According to the publication, Madrid has shifted into a “defensive posture” over the status of its North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, whose sovereignty is actively contested by Morocco. POLITICO noted that ties between Rabat and Washington have been growing increasingly close.

At the same time, relations between the United States and Spain have reportedly deteriorated over Sánchez's refusal to support the military operation against Iran and Madrid's defence spending within NATO. As a result, there is growing uncertainty over who would come to Spain's aid if Morocco decided to act against Ceuta and Melilla.

“The Spanishness of Ceuta and Melilla is beyond all doubt and is recognized as such by international law and the entire world,” Spain's Foreign Ministry said in a statement to POLITICO.

The report comes after tens of thousands of migrants reached the autonomous city of Ceuta in late July, either by swimming or by bypassing the breakwater separating the enclave from Morocco.

According to Spanish authorities, around 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta over the course of several days. Morocco's Interior Ministry, however, said about 40,000 people attempted to enter Ceuta illegally, while another 1,135 tried to cross into Melilla.

Moroccan authorities said 11 people died while attempting to cross the border into Ceuta. The Spanish government, meanwhile, reported that at least 72 people lost their lives trying to reach the enclave.

By Jeyhun Aghazada