Spanish Navy updates maritime protocols near Ceuta and Melilla

Spanish Navy Moroccan vessels Ceuta Melilla innocent passage

The Spanish Navy has updated its maritime protocols regarding Moroccan vessels near the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Following naval incursions in late July, Spanish military forces have shifted from a policy of passive monitoring to active intervention.

Previously, the Maritime Action Operations and Surveillance Center (COVAM) primarily monitored Moroccan movements under the legal principle of “innocent passage” as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. However, a military source stated that the Navy is now more vigilant and will no longer wait for vessels to enter territorial waters before taking action.

To support this increased presence, the patrol vessel Atalaya has been deployed off the coast of Ceuta, while the Isla de León is stationed near Melilla. These changes follow incidents in July, including the reported entry of the vessel Mohamed VI into Spanish waters during a period of high migration at the Ceuta border.

Entities

Atalaya · Ceuta · Melilla · Morocco · Spanish Navy

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] No innocent passage by Moroccan vessels was recorded during the visit of the Spanish monarchs. arabic.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The vessel Mohamed VI entered Spanish waters during a border breach in late July. arabic.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
[● 7 SOURCES] Previously, Moroccan vessel movements were primarily monitored by the Maritime Action Operations and Surveillance Center (COVAM) without direct intervention. informim.net · www.elmundo.es · abcnews.al · arabic.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · +2 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The patrol vessel Atalaya is currently deployed off the coast of Ceuta. www.elmundo.es · arabic.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · alyaoum24.com · www.euronews.com
[● 8 SOURCES] The Spanish Navy has changed its protocol to intervene more actively against Moroccan vessels in territorial waters. informim.net · www.elmundo.es · abcnews.al · www.elperiodico.digital · arabic.euronews.com · +3 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The patrol vessel Isla de León is deployed in Melilla. www.elmundo.es · arabic.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · alyaoum24.com · www.euronews.com