Spain's spy agency warned of Ceuta border breach before crisis, declassified files show
September 10, 2026 / 8:15 AM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- Spain's national intelligence agency issued multiple warnings before the Ceuta border crisis in late July.
- Declassified documents include alerts and reports from various agencies about potential mass migrant crossings from Morocco.
- A WhatsApp alert on July 29 warned of social media calls for an 'assault on the fence and by sea' on July 30.
- Intelligence reports suggested migrants might exploit Morocco's Throne Day on July 30.
- A Defense Ministry report noted Moroccan forces acted passively to stop migrants during the influx.
- Prime Minister Sánchez stated that while the campaign was known, the warnings did not indicate the scale of the crisis.
- Ceuta is facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis with thousands of migrants remaining.
- NGOs reported over 140 migrant deaths in Spain's deadliest mass crossing, though this specific article does not confirm this death toll for the Ceuta event.