Spain’s intelligence service warned authorities about plans for a mass migrant crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta shortly before tens of thousands of people arrived from Morocco in July.
Declassified documents released this week show that Spain’s National Intelligence Center issued a warning on July 29 about social-media calls for people to storm the border fence and attempt to enter the enclave by sea.
The warning came one day before more than 72,000 people reportedly attempted to cross into Ceuta during the extraordinary border crisis.
The disclosure has renewed questions about how Spanish authorities prepared for the influx and about Morocco’s role in the events.
Spanish officials have not produced evidence establishing that the Moroccan government organised the crossings, while Ceuta authorities have repeatedly called for greater European support.
The European Union has provided financial assistance to Spain for border surveillance, returns and support for unaccompanied minors.
The release of the documents is now becoming part of a wider political and legal debate over the handling of the crisis.
SOURCES:
Al Jazeera — Spanish intelligence warning over Ceuta crossings
Folha de S.Paulo — Declassified intelligence documents
