Some Spanish strategic experts suggest Morocco's regime is employing pressure tactics against Spain, seeking to complicate the improving relationship between Algeria and Madrid. This strategy aims to disrupt the rapprochement and potentially revert relations to the strained period witnessed between 2022 and 2025, which included a diplomatic and economic rupture. The improvement in relations between Algeria and Madrid is viewed by some Spanish strategic experts as a tactic by the Moroccan regime to pressure Spain. The rapprochement between Algeria and Madrid, along with two other significant events, is expected to increase pressure between Spain and the Moroccan regime. The anticipated visit of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Spain, coupled with a high-level meeting scheduled for October, is viewed as a development that disturbs the Moroccan regime. Spain's urgent need for energy resources at preferential prices, driven by its long-standing partnership with Algeria and geographical proximity, further increases pressure between Spain and the Moroccan regime. Spain is driven by an urgent need to obtain energy resources at preferential prices due to the old bilateral partnership and proximity to the source.
Roots of Moroccan Discontent
The Moroccan regime has considered Pedro Sánchez's government "hostage" since documents were allegedly stolen from the phones of senior Spanish officials, including Sánchez, in the 'Pegasus' spying operation. Within Spain, there is a belief that the "deep state" has bypassed the Sánchez government due to suspicions of its subservience to the Moroccan regime, stemming from these alleged document thefts and blackmail. Recent actions by King Felipe VI have further noted underlying tensions. King Felipe VI decided to visit Ceuta and Melilla, with the visit by him and his wife scheduled for the coming weeks. Days ago, King Felipe VI met with Spanish army leaders while in military uniform. Another development is the approval of a law granting Spanish nationality to the Sahrawi people. These two events, the upcoming visit of Spanish King Felipe VI and his wife to Ceuta and Melilla in the coming weeks, and the approval of a law granting Spanish nationality to the Sahrawi people, are considered direct causes behind Rabat's 'revenge' on Madrid.
Ceuta Invasion and Investigations
Rabat's 'revenge' on Madrid manifested on July 30 and 31 with the organized invasion of approximately 80,000 Moroccan 'harraga' (irregular migrants) into Ceuta. The Spanish National Court has since ordered new investigations to identify the individuals who organized and planned this mobilization on the Moroccan side in the Fnideq area. This inquiry follows a previous ruling by Judge Tardón on September 7, which accepted conclusions from a report by the Spanish National Committee for Economic and Social Research. That report ruled out spontaneity for the mass entry, describing it as an operation with distinct 'before, during, and after' phases. The Spanish judiciary, represented by the National Court, is now investigating the Moroccan regime's involvement in managing the Ceuta events, a move seen as a direct challenge to Rabat. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, however, rejected these conclusions, as reported by El Independiente.
Internal and External Pressures
The Moroccan regime currently faces its most challenging internal and external phase, which appears to undermine its capacity to pressure Madrid regarding its relationship with Algeria. The Moroccan regime appears to be in its most difficult internal and external phase, undermining its ability to pressure Madrid to destroy its relations with Algeria. These developments are anticipated to weaken Rabat's ability to maneuver and dissuade Madrid from its rapprochement with Algeria. These developments are expected to weaken the Moroccan regime's ability to maneuver and pressure Madrid to limit its rapprochement with Algeria. Miguel Hernando de Larramendi, Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, noted this perspective in statements to Europa Press on Sunday. Within Spain, a consensus exists, both officially and among the populace, on the necessity of penalizing the Moroccan regime for its perceived challenge to Spanish sovereignty during the Ceuta enclave invasion. There is a consensus in Spain, officially and popularly, on the need to punish the Moroccan regime for daring to challenge Spanish sovereignty due to the invasion of the Ceuta enclave.