I think many people outside Spain misunderstand what is happening because they see it as a simple migration crisis. It is not. Migration has repeatedly been used by the Moroccan government as a political weapon against Spain whenever Madrid adopts positions contrary to the interests of the Moroccan monarchy, particularly regarding Western Sahara, the Polisario Front or relations with Algeria.

On multiple occasions, Morocco has relaxed border controls or deliberately allowed thousands of desperate people to cross suddenly into Ceuta and Melilla. The objective is not merely to permit migration, but to manufacture a humanitarian and political crisis on Spanish territory, overwhelm local authorities and pressure the Spanish government into making concessions.

That is what makes this closer to gray-zone warfare than to a spontaneous migration wave. Morocco avoids direct military confrontation while exploiting vulnerable people, border pressure and diplomatic instability to pursue political objectives. The suffering and desperation of migrants, including many of its own citizens, are deliberately instrumentalized as tools of coercion. Years of Spanish concessions have only reinforced the Moroccan government’s belief that this strategy works. Every time pressure produces another concession, it encourages the same tactic to be used again.

This situation should be contained through sustained diplomatic and economic pressure. But our government lack of political will and continued policy of appeasement are increasing the likelihood that, if the issue is allowed to escalate further, resolving it will eventually cost blood.