Spanish Military Chief: Morocco Not a Threat to Ceuta and Melilla

According to the head of the Armed Forces, Morocco is currently more concerned with Algeria, its main "rival" which supports the Polisario Front in the conflict in the Sahara, than with a possible annexation of Ceuta and Melilla. For him, the continuous strengthening of the Moroccan army observed in recent years cannot be considered a "threat" to Ceuta and Melilla.

To read: Morocco’s Hybrid Strategy Targets Spanish Enclaves Ceuta and Melilla, Experts Warn

Admiral López Calderón argues that Morocco has never expressed its willingness to annex the two autonomous cities by force, specifying that Spain has several means of pressure and deterrence outside the military. In the current geopolitical context, such an action would necessarily impact the economy, politics, diplomacy, he points out.

To read: Spain Affirms Sovereignty Over Ceuta and Melilla Amid Moroccan Claims

The report of the Observatory of Ceuta and Melilla, entitled "Morocco’s claims on Ceuta and Melilla" and published on Monday, notes that the measures taken in recent years by Morocco against Spain are actually aimed at the two autonomous cities. According to the experts, authors of this report, Morocco would be deploying a hybrid strategy to definitively establish its sovereignty in the two enclaves, without resorting to armed force.