Spanish officials ought to have predicted the outcomes of a judicial decision that diminished a major barrier to unlawful migration, thereby contributing to the recent large-scale entries into the Ceuta enclave from northern Morocco, according to a high-ranking Moroccan source on Monday.

Estimates from Spain indicate roughly 69500 migrants have gone back from Ceuta to Morocco after the crossings last week, whereas Moroccan officials report around 40000 individuals made it into the enclave.

The fatalities total 72 on the Spanish border side and 11 on the Moroccan side.

Ceuta Regional President Juan Jesus Vivas blamed Rabat for having encouraged and permitted the surge, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned against leveraging irregular migration to influence an EU nation.

The Ceuta authorities needed to foresee the effects of a decision that removed a deterrent to illegal migration, the senior official stated during an initial press briefing after the events.

The Spanish court decision from July 8 restricted the prompt repatriation of migrants arriving by sea to the enclaves.

Morocco maintained its border security measures without any reduction prior to the mass crossing on Thursday, according to the official.

Spain Bears Responsibility for Migration Deterrence, Morocco States

Morocco strategy for managing migration focuses on prevention by stationing about 24000 security forces along the northern coastline and deterrence via swift readmissions of those entering Spanish areas unlawfully.

Trafficking groups rapidly exploited the July ruling, the official noted.

The signal sent was simply to cross and receive protection, he remarked. Europe urges us to prevent migrant crossings, yet on the opposite side they welcome them warmly upon arrival!

Official data shows Rabat halted 79000 crossing attempts in 2024 and 74000 the previous year.

He characterized the Moroccan-Spanish border control collaboration as exemplary before the ruling upset long-standing practices.

Spain must devise a way to reinstate deterrence, he added.

Morocco will never participate in an approach to migration that relies solely on security measures, he concluded.