The influx of these migrants from neighbouring Morocco "is an aggression against Spanish borders, but also against the borders of the European Union", denounced Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles on public radio, condemning a "blackmail" from Rabat which she accused of "using minors". "We are not talking about teenagers aged 16, 17", Morocco has allowed "children aged 7 or 8, according to what NGOs have reported to us" to pass through [...] "in disregard of international law", the minister vilified. The image of a baby rescued from drowning by a Spanish Civil Guard officer notably made the rounds worldwide, sparking horror on social media.

"Lack of respect"

Through these statements by the Defence Minister, the Spanish government further raised its tone against Morocco, whose ambassador to Spain it had summoned on Tuesday, May 18, to express its "displeasure". Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had accused Rabat on Wednesday of "lack of respect". Since Monday, a human tide of more than 8,000 migration candidates, overwhelmingly Moroccans, has flowed unimpeded into the small Spanish port thanks to a relaxation of border controls by Morocco. Among them, an impressive number of young people travelling alone or small children, accompanied by their families.

Unprecedented migration wave

This unprecedented migration wave is set against the backdrop of a major diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat, which has been fuming since the arrival last month in Spain, for treatment, of the leader of the Sahrawi independence activists of the Polisario Front, Morocco's sworn enemy. Several Spanish and Moroccan NGOs have condemned the fact that these minors are victims of the rift between the two countries and are concerned about seeing them expelled to Morocco.

Of the more than 8,000 migrants, 5,600 have already been expelled to Morocco, according to figures given on May 19 by Spanish authorities. Also hardening its tone against Rabat, Brussels assured on Wednesday, through the voice of European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, that "no one can intimidate or blackmail the European Union [...] on the migration issue".

(With AFP)

►Also read: Spanish Prime Minister draws criticism following Ceuta migration episode