The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has insisted in Congress that the military intelligence services, including agents from the National Intelligence Center, acted prior to the massive entry of migrants in Ceuta and conveyed their data to the Security Forces and the Government Delegation. However, she has avoided providing further details by recalling that the duty of secrecy is "a burden."
During her appearance before the Defense Commission, Robles acknowledged the work of the military during those days of the migration crisis at the end of July and particularly highlighted the work of the Armed Forces Intelligence Center (CIFAS) and the CNI, whose actions were questioned after the arrival of thousands of people in the autonomous city. In contrast to the statements made by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande Marlaska, who at a press conference claimed that no one warned of an entry of migrants similar to that recorded in Ceuta, the Defense official has maintained that the intelligence services did fulfill their duty.
In this regard, she defended the work of the 25 CNI agents deployed in the area, protected by the duty of secrecy, "which is a guarantee for their actions," but which at times "operates as a burden by preventing publicity for the actions they carry out."
Robles detailed that these personnel "provide their services and carry out their mission in Ceuta, monitoring the situation in the area daily from multiple perspectives: relations with neighboring countries, the geopolitical situation on the southern flank, the actions of organized crime, their use of networks, the rise and increase of jihadist terrorism, and obviously the development of irregular migration, addressing the situation of neighboring countries, the Sahel, as well as destabilizing actions through hybrid threats made by international agents."
Coordination with the Interior and military deployment
The minister emphasized that, during those same days, the military "carried out the work that was and is required of them and that they shared and analyzed with the State Security Forces and with the personnel of the Government Delegation."
Robles has explained that there are currently more than 3,000 military personnel stationed in Ceuta, the majority integrated into the General Command of Ceuta, whose potential has been reinforced with units from the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands that are already operating in the autonomous city.
Among the tasks assigned to the Armed Forces in Ceuta, the minister has mentioned that, in the land area, they support the deployment of the Civil Guard in the border area, collaborate in surveillance and presence to prevent irregular settlements and avoid situations that may compromise security, and assist in marking routes and in the organization and grouping of immigrant groups.
In the maritime field, the crisis has forced an intensification of control over the waters near Ceuta, locating possible entry points, installing buoys, and carrying out various operations at the Tarajal border crossing.
The Navy has taken on part of these missions and has made available to the State the frigates 'Navarra' and 'Santa María' for tasks of presence, surveillance, and deterrence in the vicinity of Ceuta, thus contributing to the protection of maritime spaces of sovereignty and national interest.
The patrol boat 'Vigía' has also intervened, focused on maritime surveillance and naval presence, and the maritime action vessels 'Rayo' and 'Tornado', which have carried out logistical missions, particularly the transfer of material from the Canary Islands to the deployment area.
Robles has concluded by reiterating her recognition of the Armed Forces for the work done during the crisis in Ceuta and has highlighted the "great work" carried out on the ground.