Vol 11 No 1 (2025): Ceuta, Melilla y los desafíos estratégicos para España en su flanco sur
Monográfico

Ceuta and Melilla: Casus Belli Spain-Morocco? DOI: http://dx.doi.org.10.18847/1.21.9

Daniel Sansó-Rubert Pascual
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), España
Bio
Published June 30, 2025
Keywords
  • Security,
  • Defense,
  • Lawfare,
  • Conflict,
  • Hybrid warfare,
  • Geopolitics
  • ...More
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Abstract

Spanish-Moroccan relations have traditionally been characterized by a complex relationship from a political, geographical, economic, social, and strategic perspective. This relationship is often misunderstood and not always peaceful, especially in relation to sovereignty and territory, generating crises and tensions. Specifically, Morocco, practically since its establishment in 1956, has maintained a demanding and unilateral position toward Spain regarding Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the other Spanish territories located on the North African coast. To the question of whether a military confrontation between Spain and Morocco over these territories is feasible, the answer must be that, although highly unlikely, it is by no means an impossible scenario. Therefore, in the face of an act of Moroccan aggression, the legal response is unquestionable: the legitimate defense of the territory under international law would allow Spain to repel an illegitimate armed attack, using force and invoking the solidarity clauses that protect it as a member of the European Union and NATO.