Spain Wildfires Morocco False Refusal Debunked

– byJérôme · 1 min read
Spain Wildfires Morocco False Refusal Debunked

Messages circulating on social media accused Morocco of refusing to send its planes to fight wildfires in Spain. This version is false: the Spanish government confirms it never requested help from Rabat.

Posts appearing on X, Facebook and Instagram claimed that Morocco had rejected a Spanish request, while several foreign countries were already participating in operations.

On Bladi.net : Morocco Sends Four Canadair Planes to Battle Deadly Forest Fires in Portugal

Spain’s Interior Ministry denied this claim to EFE Verifica. No official request was sent to the Moroccan government.

Madrid chose European aid

Facing the wildfires, Spain activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism. This system mobilized six planes from Greece, Italy and Turkey.

Portugal also sent 134 people and 41 vehicles. European teams were already positioned in Spain before this wave of wildfires broke out.

The absence of Moroccan planes therefore does not result from a refusal by Rabat. Morocco was simply not requested by Madrid.