Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed on 21 September 2026 that Madrid and Rabat are coordinating to block a fresh attempt to storm the border of Ceuta, the Spanish exclave in North Africa, scheduled for 23 September — the day Morocco holds legislative elections.

"The information that I have is that there are some messages on social media. However, they do not have the impact of those from July 30," Albares told Canal Sur radio.

What triggered the alert?

Spanish officials identified online posts urging young Moroccans to march on the border at the same date as the Moroccan election. The call echoes the 30 July 2025 incident, when roughly 80,000 irregular migrants entered Ceuta by land and sea within hours, overwhelming Spanish forces. More than 100 people died during that surge.

How is Spain responding?

Albares said he has spoken daily with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita since the July crisis. He asked Rabat to take "all preventive measures", including reinforcing border units.

Pressed by Catalunya Ràdio on the same day, Albares described Morocco as "receptive" to tackling the disinformation aimed at young Moroccans.

Why is Morocco under scrutiny?

A leaked Spanish national police report alleges Moroccan security forces helped organise the July influx and ushered migrants toward the border. Rabat has denied responsibility.

Recently declassified Spanish intelligence reports described the Moroccan response to the breach as "passive" and "negligent", noting the unusual absence of Moroccan forces from the heavily guarded frontier.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told Congress that Moroccan gendarmes "allowed people to cross the border for 10 hours". His government has not accused Rabat of orchestrating the surge.

What has happened since July?

• 15 August 2025: thousands of migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, tried another crossing. Spanish and Moroccan forces stopped them before they reached Ceuta.
• 23 September 2026: social media is calling for a new march timed to Morocco's legislative elections.

What is the broader context?

Morocco has previously used migration pressure during diplomatic disputes with Spain. Moroccan officials continue to assert territorial claims over Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's other North African exclave. Madrid holds that the July surge stemmed from smuggling networks and disinformation, a position drawing fresh questions after the leaked police files.

The Ceuta frontier remains a flashpoint in Spain-Morocco relations. Madrid has not announced troop reinforcements or border closures ahead of 23 September, but Albares said preventive steps are in motion on both sides of the fence.

Albares returned to one point repeatedly: cooperation with Rabat is the only way to keep the 30 July scenes from repeating. Whether that cooperation holds on election day will test that line within 48 hours.