In a recent revelation, a US military officer has claimed that the mass border crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in May 2021, involving thousands of Moroccans, was a premeditated action by Moroccan authorities, not a spontaneous incident. The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, suggested that the event was used as a political tool to pressure Spain over the Western Sahara dispute.
The incident, which occurred on May 17-18, 2021, saw an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people, including many minors, cross into Ceuta after Moroccan border guards appeared to relax controls. Spanish authorities responded by deploying military and police reinforcements, and the crisis was resolved within days, with most migrants returned to Morocco.
The claim aligns with analyses by international observers who noted that the border opening coincided with tensions between Spain and Morocco over the hospitalization of Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, in Spain. Morocco has denied any deliberate action, stating that the crossings were due to a loss of control.
As of August 2026, no official confirmation from the US Department of Defense or the Spanish government has been made regarding the officer's statement. The veracity of the claim remains unverified, and the officer's identity has not been released.
