Are US, Israel behind thousands of Moroccans swimming to Spain? The geopolitics of migration
Thousands of Moroccans swam to Spainish terrain Cueta, with 72 losing their lives. Mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into
Thousands of Moroccans swam to Spainish terrain Cueta, with 72 losing their lives. Mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory Ceuta. (Reuters photo) Thousands of Moroccans swam to Spainish terrain Cueta, with 72 losing their lives. Mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory Ceuta. (Reuters photo) Thousands of Moroccans swam to Spainish terrain Cueta, with 72 losing their lives. 1 2 Not merely a migration crisis What is the significance of Cueta? The Western Sahara factor What is driving illegal Moroccan migrants to Europe? 8,000 had entered Ceuta back in 2021 The last time this happened was in 2021 when around 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta. Why Ceuta matters so much Cueta is one of EU's only two land borders with Africa. How Morocco became Europe's migration gatekeeper What is the role of the US, Israel? A crisis that will recur? Thousands of people braving rough seas, clinging to rubber tubes and makeshift flotation devices, trying desperately to swim barely 100 metres into Europe. These extraordinary scenes which unfolded at Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta recently have become one of the defining images of the global migration crisis this year.But behind the viral visuals lies a much bigger story — one that stretches far beyond poverty and illegal migration into geopolitics, diplomacy and Europe's dependence on Morocco to guard its southern frontier.For two days, thousands of migrants streamed into Ceuta, the tiny Spanish territory on Morocco's Mediterranean coast. Between 50,000 and 60,000 people attempted the crossing, with many swimming around the Tarajal and Benzú coastal barriers using inner tubes and improvised flotation devices. The sea separating Morocco from Ceuta is barely 100 metres wide at its narrowest point, making it one of the shortest—and most dangerous—routes into the European Union.72 people lost their lives during the crossings, turning what appeared to be a mass migration into a humanitarian tragedy.The dramatic visuals have prompted a question that extends well beyond Spain's borders: Why are so many Moroccans suddenly willing to risk death for a chance to enter Europe?The answer lies at the intersection of economics, migration networks, regional politics and international diplomacy.Morocco has been grappling with rising unemployment, especially among young people, persistent inflation, repeated droughts affecting agriculture, and widening inequality despite years of economic growth.
For many educated young Moroccans, stable jobs remain scarce, making migration increasingly attractive.Spanish authorities have also pointed to misinformation circulating on social media after the country’s Supreme Court ruling was widely misinterpreted by migrant smuggling networks. Videos on TikTok and encrypted messaging platforms reportedly suggested that those reaching Ceuta would be allowed to remain in Spain, encouraging thousands to attempt the crossing.A third explanation focuses on border management. Many migrants crossed because Moroccan security forces appeared to have reduced surveillance at several crossing points, allowing unprecedented numbers of people to reach the Spanish territory.But many analysts argue they do not fully explain the scale, timing and apparent ease with which tens of thousands crossed into Ceuta within such a short period.For geopolitical analyst Robinder Sachdev, president of The Imagindia Institute, the events at Ceuta represent something much larger than a spontaneous migration surge."All three explanations are valid. But none fully accounts for the scale, timing and extraordinary ease of the crossing. The central explanation, in my view, is geopolitical: Morocco appears to have deliberately relaxed its border controls to send a message to Spain—perhaps in coordination with the United States and Israel."Sachdev argues that understanding the crisis requires looking beyond migration and towards the complicated geopolitical relationships among Morocco, Spain and Algeria.At the centre of Morocco's foreign policy lies Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by Morocco but contested by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence.For decades, Western Sahara has shaped Morocco's diplomatic relationships with Europe. According to Sachdev, the timing of the Ceuta crisis is significant.Just ten days before the migration surge, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez travelled to Algeria to strengthen bilateral relations and secure long-term gas supplies. Algeria currently provides around one-third of Spain's natural gas, making the relationship strategically important.What concerned Morocco was not what Sánchez said during the visit, but what he omitted. "While in Algeria, Sánchez made no explicit reaffirmation of Spain's support for Morocco's position on Western Sahara. For Morocco, that omission raised doubts about whether Madrid was recalibrating its regional policy and drifting closer to Algiers," said Sachdev, who added that Morocco may have interpreted the visit as a diplomatic signal—and responded with one of its own.This is not the first time migration has become part of diplomatic pressure.
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