Spain's premier says no solid evidence Morocco orchestrated Ceuta migration crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday said there is no solid evidence that Morocco orchestrated the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta, as politicians across the political spectrum challenged the government's account of the crisis.

Sanchez told parliament that Spanish intelligence services rule out Moroccan involvement in the mass crossings "for now," while vowing to act firmly if evidence emerges.

His comments came a day after Spanish media reported on a police intelligence report alleging that Moroccan security forces helped guide the arrival of around 72,000 migrants in Ceuta on July 30-31 in an operation whose purpose went beyond migration.

Sanchez also revealed Thursday that Spain had summoned Moroccan Ambassador Karima Benyaich on Aug. 21 to protest comments by Moroccan ministers concerning Ceuta and Melilla.

Morocco's justice minister had described the Spanish enclaves as a "historic and geographical right" of Morocco and called for a "definitive solution" that would return them to the country.

News of the summons prompted opposition politicians to question why it had not been disclosed, with opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo calling Sanchez a "coward" for handling it "covertly."

Feijoo also accused the government of knowing about and concealing Morocco's alleged role in the migration crisis and called on Sanchez to resign "for incompetence or complicity."

"The operation came from Morocco, was consented to by Morocco and there are indications that Morocco coordinated it," Feijoo said.

Criticism also came from the government's left-wing allies. Enrique Santiago of Sumar accused Morocco of organizing the influx, while fellow Sumar lawmaker Aina Vidal said the government's “appeasement policy with Morocco has failed.”

Gabriel Rufian, parliamentary spokesman for the Catalan separatist ERC party, accused Morocco of deliberately sending tens of thousands of people toward the border to destabilize the Spanish government in collaboration with Washington, Tel Aviv and elements of Spain's political right.

He also accused the government of sacrificing Spain's "dignity" in its dealings with Rabat, questioning whether Sanchez was withholding information about the alleged Moroccan role to avoid a confrontation with Morocco that Spain would struggle to win.

Sanchez acknowledged shortcomings in the government's response, saying: "We have had our successes, also our mistakes, like everyone."

He also announced plans to seek a permanent presence of the EU border agency Frontex in Ceuta and said King Felipe VI should visit Ceuta and Melilla "in the coming weeks."

Government estimates suggest around 5,000 migrants who arrived during the mass crossings remain in Ceuta, a small Spanish enclave with a population of about 80,000.