“The Great Escape” Operation… Makhzen Throws Its Citizens to Ceuta, Blackmailing the European Union
Hundreds of Moroccan youths have engaged in an “illegal migration campaign,” resembling an “invasion” of Ceuta, which belongs to the Spanish sovereignty, in a scenario reminiscent of what happened in 2021, when the Moroccan authorities ignored the crossing of hundreds of youths and minors into Ceuta. Madrid officials then classified the issue as “a Moroccan attempt to blackmail Spain.”
“The Promised Day” or “September 15” saw widespread social media calls for mass migration from Morocco to Ceuta. These “publicly announced invitations” triggered questions of how such secretive operations would be advertised so openly, inducing thousands of Moroccan youths to flock to the town of Fnideq in northern Morocco in preparation for the “Great Escape.”
Observers have suggested that what is happening now in Morocco is a deliberate manoeuvre by Makhzen, akin to what occurred years ago, to push hundreds of youths and minors towards Ceuta in a political blackmail strategy against Spain. In 2019, Spain had managed to alleviate the pressure of illegal migration by making financial payments to Morocco following repeated visits by Spanish ministers and officials in 2018, which were concluded in a personal visit by King Felipe VI to Rabat, where both parties signed eleven bilateral agreements.
Immense tension has been haunting the Moroccan town of Fnideq since last night, following the arrival of hundreds of youths who have heeded calls for mass migration and organised collective marches towards the Ceuta border crossing in bid to reach European territory in protest against the deteriorating living conditions. Local media reported the detention of dozens of youths after the area was heavily militarised. However, the Spanish Civil Guard called for an urgent visit by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to Morocco to discuss the escalating crisis of illegal migration towards Ceuta.
The Spanish trade union has warned about the danger the situation poses to Spain’s security and the safety of Civil Guard personnel. According to Spanish media, the Civil Guard officers stationed at the border are suffering from severe fatigue due to the increased pressure of illegal crossings, raising the risk of accidents and injuries.
The trade union noted that the current situation in Ceuta is strikingly similar to the crisis in May 2021, when thousands of migrants attempted to storm the border fence to enter Spanish territory. It warned that if this situation continues without decisive action, it could exacerbate the crisis and escalate tensions between the two countries.
In response to the “Great Escape” planned by Moroccan youths, Spain has been forced to mobilise additional military reinforcements to the coast of Ceuta.
A recent European report confirms expert analyses that Morocco is using illegal migration as a pressure card against the European Union. In 2023, Morocco accepted only 2,760 Moroccan migrants out of 35,065 subject to deportation orders issued by the EU.
According to the newspaper “El País,” which reported on the findings, Morocco accepted only 8% of the EU deportation requests.
