Moroccan Navy Ordered Fishing Boats to Violate Spanish Territorial Waters - Newspaper

According to the newspaper, this coincided with the unauthorized entry of Moroccan Royal Navy vessels into Spain's Ceuta waters at the height of the migration crisis in the city.

Madrid, October 14. /TASS/. Spanish military authorities intercepted direct orders from the Royal Moroccan Navy, which ordered Moroccan-flagged fishing vessels to violate Spanish territorial waters, ABC newspaper reported.

According to the newspaper, this coincided with the unauthorized entry of Moroccan Royal Navy vessels into Spanish Sota waters at the height of the migration crisis in the city in late July and early August. The Spanish Ministry of Defense immediately responded by deploying naval forces, including the patrol vessel Rayo and two frigates, to the area to maintain a show of force and deterrence until Morocco ceases such actions. The ABC noted that General Teodoro López Calderon, the Chief of Defense Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces, also spoke with the Moroccan High Command and called for an end to the provocations.

Earlier, the El Pais newspaper, citing sources, reported that at least one Moroccan frigate and several patrol vessels had entered Spanish territorial waters. These actions were described as deliberate and repeated violations of territorial waters. These incidents occurred in early August and almost led to a clash between the vessels of the two countries. The newspaper noted that the situation around the waters near Ceuta is very sensitive because Spain considers its 12-nautical-mile territorial waters as part of its territory. However, Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, nor over their waters.

In late July, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants reached Ceuta by swimming or crossing the breakwater separating the city from Morocco. Due to the crisis, Madrid decided to deploy military forces to ensure the security of the city. According to official estimates, up to 80,000 people may have entered the city, although most illegal immigrants are believed to have already returned to Morocco.