Spain Fears Potential Moroccan Attack on Ceuta and Melilla Enclaves

What would happen if Morocco decided to launch an armed attack against Ceuta and Melilla? Will the two autonomous cities be protected by the EU and NATO? These questions deserve to be asked when we know that Spain claims sovereignty over these two territories located in North Africa. For some analysts, NATO should ensure the protection of the two enclaves under Articles 5 and 6 of the North Atlantic Treaty on mutual defense in the event of aggression.

Article 6 of this text takes into account the entire Spanish territory, including the Canary Islands, but not Ceuta and Melilla which are not islands and are located on the African continent. But the two presidios could benefit from NATO protection if Spain explicitly declares that they are an integral part of its territory, said Carlos Echeverría, director of the Ceuta and Melilla Observatory, to Vozpópuli.

According to an analysis by the Elcano Institute, NATO could take collective action in favor of Ceuta and Melilla if the two cities suffer an attack likely to endanger the security of other allies. The concern about a Moroccan invasion is growing in Spain since the return to power of Donald Trump in the United States. Morocco’s geographical proximity to the two enclaves, as well as the numerical superiority of its troops, could tip the balance in its favor, analyzes La Razon.

To recall, Ceuta and Melilla are integrated into PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) or PSC, an EU mechanism that allows member states to jointly develop defense capabilities and provide combat units for missions. In addition to military intervention, the EU could also opt for economic or diplomatic sanctions depending on the seriousness of the armed attack.