Confirmation of a maritime incident
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed on October 12 that Moroccan naval vessels entered waters Spain considers under its sovereignty near Ceuta during the migration crisis of July 30 and 31. His remarks followed reporting by El País and were made to journalists at the Royal Palace after Spain’s National Day parade.
RTVE reported that Spain sent a frigate to stop the incursions. Sánchez described the period as difficult but emphasised that the two navies had communicated and that cooperation continued.
Border pressures and bilateral cooperation
Tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in late July, overwhelming local reception arrangements and creating a humanitarian and diplomatic crisis. The new reporting concerns the military dimension of that episode, rather than a fresh mass crossing on October 12.
Sánchez highlighted Morocco’s importance to Spanish cooperation against terrorism and organised crime. His public response sought to preserve the relationship while acknowledging the naval incident. RTVE reported that he presented dialogue between neighbouring countries as the means through which the situation had been addressed.
Sovereignty and diplomatic timing
The confirmation preceded planned visits by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Ceuta on October 13 and Melilla on October 14. Both cities are administered by Spain, while Morocco claims sovereignty over them.
Reuters reported that Morocco’s King Mohammed VI had recently criticised the existing migration cooperation model with Spain. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry could not immediately be reached for comment on the naval reporting. The combination of a territorial dispute and shared border-management responsibilities gives the incident a bilateral security dimension, but the available accounts do not establish that the naval movements and migration crossings were coordinated.
Reference
Reuters. (2026, October 12). Moroccan navy vessels entered Spanish waters during Ceuta crisis, Sanchez says. Reuters.