Morocco says Spain should have foreseen impact of court ruling following Ceuta migrant rush

A senior Moroccan official stated on Monday that Spain should have foreseen the impact of a July 8 court ruling that weakened a deterrent against illegal migration, contributing to last week's mass crossings into Ceuta. The official claimed the ruling, which limited the immediate return of migrants reaching Spanish enclaves by sea, was quickly exploited by trafficking networks, sending the message, "just cross and you will be protected." Morocco denies relaxing border controls, asserting that its migration strategy relies on prevention and rapid readmissions. The official noted that Moroccan-Spanish cooperation on border control was "exemplary" until the ruling, and that "It is up to Spain to find a solution to restore deterrence." Spain estimates 69,500 migrants returned from Ceuta, while Morocco reports 40,000 entered.