Spain bolsters military presence in Ceuta and Melilla amid Morocco’s sovereignty push

Monday 30 June 2025 - 09:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Spain bolsters military presence in Ceuta and Melilla amid Morocco’s sovereignty push

Spain has significantly increased its military presence in the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, deploying additional troops under the framework of "Operation Presence – Surveillance and Deterrence." The move coincides with mounting calls in Morocco to reclaim the territories through legal and civic action, reigniting debates over the future of these North African cities.

Military reinforcements under Operation Presence

Spain’s Ministry of Defense recently announced the deployment of the Ceuta Tactical Group and troops from the Alcantara 10th Cavalry Regiment to Melilla. The operation involves patrols, reconnaissance missions, and reinforced security measures across both cities.

The Ceuta Tactical Group includes units such as the 54th Regulares Group and the 2nd “Duke of Alba” Tercio of the Spanish Legion — historically linked to Spain’s colonial rule in northern Morocco. While the Ministry of Defense frames the deployments as a response to "strategic risks," analysts note the timing aligns with renewed Moroccan mobilization around Ceuta and Melilla.

Rising Moroccan efforts for sovereignty

In late 2024, nearly 100 Moroccan civil society associations formed the Committee for the Liberation of Ceuta and Melilla in Beni-Enzar, near Nador, to revive Morocco’s historic claim to the enclaves. This grassroots movement has emphasized diplomatic, legal, and civic strategies to address what Morocco views as a colonial legacy incompatible with its territorial integrity.

Spanish media have expressed growing concern over international attention to the issue. Speculation about potential U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the enclaves, following former President Donald Trump’s recognition of Morocco’s claim to Sahara, has added to these anxieties.

In response to such speculation, Spanish officials, including Ceuta’s regional president Juan Jesús Vivas and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno, have firmly rejected any claims of instability. Vivas has dismissed the possibility of a Moroccan-organized mass mobilization akin to the 1975 “Green March,” asserting that Ceuta’s Spanish identity is rooted in law, history, and the will of its residents.

Cyberattacks and local unrest

The heightened military presence comes amid a major cyberattack that has disrupted administrative services in Melilla for over a week, with cybercriminals reportedly demanding a ransom. The attack has compounded tensions in the city, where Spain’s military maneuvers aim to assure stability amidst growing regional unease.

A contested legacy of occupation

Ceuta and Melilla, located on Morocco’s northern coast, have been under Spanish control for centuries. Ceuta was annexed by Spain in 1580 after being inherited from Portugal, while Melilla has been occupied since 1497. Both cities are classified as autonomous under Spanish law, applying Spain’s Constitution and European Union regulations despite their geographic location in North Africa.

From Morocco’s perspective, the enclaves represent remnants of colonialism that violate its territorial sovereignty. The country has consistently called for their return, viewing the cities as integral parts of its national identity. Spain, on the other hand, considers the enclaves an inseparable part of its territory, a position strongly supported by all major political parties.

Both cities are heavily fortified, with permanent military bases, border fences, and advanced surveillance systems. Madrid justifies this militarization as essential for migration control, counterterrorism, and border security.

A growing international spotlight

The renewed tensions over Ceuta and Melilla underscore broader questions of colonial legacies, territorial integrity, and geopolitical power in North Africa. As Morocco intensifies its sovereignty campaign and Spain doubles down on its military presence, the issue of the enclaves is poised to remain a point of contention in regional and international diplomacy.