Morocco has rejected claims that its authorities facilitated the mass crossing into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in July.

Rabat, Morocco (Running Africa) — Morocco has denied organizing or encouraging a mass migrant crossing into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, insisting there is no evidence that its authorities deliberately facilitated the movement.

More than 70,000 migrants reportedly crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30 and 31, marking one of the largest migration surges recorded in the Spanish territory.

Local reports said more than 100 people were killed during the rush. The reported casualty figure has not been independently confirmed.

Spain Declassifies Intelligence on Ceuta Migrant Crossing

The dispute has received renewed attention following Spain’s decision to declassify intelligence documents examining Morocco’s possible role in the incident.

The documents reportedly concluded that it was highly likely Moroccan authorities did not actively encourage the crossing, although they raised the possibility that officials responded negligently or passively.

Morocco maintains that the mass movement should not be attributed to deliberate action by its authorities.

Morocco Criticizes Spain Over Migrants in Ceuta

Rabat has also criticized Spain’s handling of migrants who remain in Ceuta and called for the repatriation of unaccompanied Moroccan minors currently in the enclave.

The issue has added another point of contention to the two countries’ complicated relationship over migration.

Spain relies heavily on cooperation with Morocco to manage migration routes into Ceuta and other Spanish territories in North Africa, making coordination between Madrid and Rabat an important part of regional border management.

Ceuta Migration Dispute Tests Morocco-Spain Relations

Morocco has repeatedly called for greater cooperation over the treatment and return of its nationals, while migration management remains a sensitive issue between the neighboring countries.

The latest dispute underscores the importance of Morocco to Spain’s efforts to control irregular migration along their shared borders.

For Rabat, the central position remains that there is no evidence Moroccan authorities deliberately organized or encouraged the July crossing.

The declassified Spanish intelligence assessment appears to support that position on active encouragement, while leaving questions over how Moroccan authorities responded as tens of thousands of people moved toward Ceuta.