1/Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish autonomous cities located on the northern coast of Africa. Although geographically on the African continent, they are politically part of Spain and therefore the European Union, forming the EU's only land border with mainland Africa.
2/Ceuta sits beside the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints. Whoever controlled this coastline influenced trade, naval movements and access between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
3/Long before modern Spain or Morocco existed, Ceuta was already an important city. Founded by the Phoenicians around the 7th century BC, it later became Carthaginian, Roman and Byzantine before coming under successive Muslim dynasties during the Middle Ages.
4/During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Christian powers competed for control of the western Mediterranean. Ceuta became one of the region's most important ports, changing hands several times as different dynasties fought for influence across the Strait of Gibraltar.
5/Everything changed in 1415. Portugal launched a major military expedition across the Strait of Gibraltar and captured Ceuta. Many historians consider the conquest the beginning of Portugal's overseas empire and the first step in Europe's Age of Exploration.
6/In 1580, Portugal and Spain came under the same monarch during the Iberian Union. Although Portugal remained a separate kingdom, Ceuta was now governed under the Spanish Crown together with the rest of Portugal's overseas possessions.
7/ The Iberian Union ended in 1640, when Portugal regained its independence. Ceuta, however, remained loyal to the Spanish Crown. The Treaty of Lisbon (1668) confirmed Spanish sovereignty over the city, and Ceuta has remained part of Spain ever since.
8/ Although Ceuta and Melilla are often discussed together today, their histories are different. Portugal captured Ceuta in 1415, while the Crown of Castile occupied Melilla in 1497. Only later did both cities become part of the same Spanish state.
9/For the next few centuries, Ceuta and Melilla remained under Spanish rule while Morocco was governed by successive dynasties. Although relations between the two sides were not always peaceful, the modern territorial dispute had not yet fully emerged.
10/Everything changed in the early 20th century. In 1912, France established a protectorate over most of Morocco, Spain administered northern Morocco and a smaller southern zone under separate protectorates.
For the first time, most of Morocco was under European colonial rule
11/After decades of colonial rule, Morocco regained its independence in 1956.
However, not every Spanish-administered territory became part of the new Moroccan state. Ceuta, Melilla, Ifni and Spanish Sahara all remained under Spanish control.
12/For Morocco's new leadership, independence was only the beginning.
King Mohammed V, and later King Hassan II, argued that territories historically linked to Morocco should eventually be reunited with the kingdom. This policy became known as Morocco's territorial integrity.
13/Those claims extended beyond Ceuta and Melilla.
They also included Ifni and Spanish Sahara, although each dispute followed a different path. While some were eventually resolved through negotiations, others remain unresolved to this day.
14/The first major confrontation came in 1957–58 during the Ifni War.
Morocco attempted to recover Spanish-controlled territory in southern Morocco, while Spain defended its remaining possessions. Although Spain retained Ifni, the conflict marked a new chapter in the relations.
15/ Morocco also pursued its claims diplomatically.
In 1963, it raised the question of Spanish-administered territories at the United Nations, arguing that the decolonization process should address areas still under Spanish control.
16/One dispute was eventually resolved.
In 1969, Spain transferred Ifni to Morocco through negotiations.
Western Sahara, however, remained under Spanish administration, setting the stage for the region's biggest dispute.
17/ Spain administered Western Sahara until 1975. As it prepared to withdraw, two competing visions emerged. Morocco claimed the territory, while the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement, sought an independent Western Sahara instead.
18/That same year, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion.
It acknowledged historical legal ties between some Sahrawi tribes and the Moroccan Sultan but concluded those ties did not establish Moroccan sovereignty or remove the Sahrawi people.
19/Just weeks later, King Hassan II launched the Green March.
Around 350,000 unarmed
Moroccan civilians marched toward Western Sahara, increasing political pressure on Spain. Spain soon signed the Madrid Accords and withdrew from the territory.
20/ The Polisario Front rejected the agreement, proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and fought Morocco. Algeria became its main supporter, before a UN-brokered ceasefire was reached in 1991.
21/Tensions between Spain and Morocco continued.
In 2002, both countries nearly entered a military confrontation over the tiny, uninhabited Perejil (Leila) Island, located just off Morocco's coast near Ceuta. The crisis ended after Spanish forces retook the island.
22/Understanding that history provides important context for the region and helps explain why developments involving Western Sahara or Spain's relations with Algeria are often closely watched i tried to keep this thread as balanced as possible. There is always more to the story.
A few additional points worth knowing that I couldn't fully cover in the thread:
The legal status of Western Sahara under international law remains disputed.
Morocco and the Polisario Front have fundamentally different historical and legal arguments.
• Algeria's support for the Polisario Front has been central to the dispute for decades.
• Spain has repeatedly had to balance its relations with both Morocco and Algeria because of the issue.
A single thread can't cover every document, treaty and historical event, but I hope this provides a solid starting point for understanding the background.
Why are Ceuta and Melilla Spanish?
Why does Morocco claim them?
And what does Western Sahara have to do with it?
Here's the history behind today's crisis. 🧵1/Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish autonomous cities located on the northern coast of Africa. Although geographically on the African continent, they are politically part of Spain and therefore the European Union, forming the EU's only land border with mainland Africa.2/Ceuta sits beside the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints. Whoever controlled this coastline influenced trade, naval movements and access between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.3/Long before modern Spain or Morocco existed, Ceuta was already an important city. Founded by the Phoenicians around the 7th century BC, it later became Carthaginian, Roman and Byzantine before coming under successive Muslim dynasties during the Middle Ages.4/During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Christian powers competed for control of the western Mediterranean. Ceuta became one of the region's most important ports, changing hands several times as different dynasties fought for influence across the Strait of Gibraltar.5/Everything changed in 1415. Portugal launched a major military expedition across the Strait of Gibraltar and captured Ceuta. Many historians consider the conquest the beginning of Portugal's overseas empire and the first step in Europe's Age of Exploration.6/In 1580, Portugal and Spain came under the same monarch during the Iberian Union. Although Portugal remained a separate kingdom, Ceuta was now governed under the Spanish Crown together with the rest of Portugal's overseas possessions.7/ The Iberian Union ended in 1640, when Portugal regained its independence. Ceuta, however, remained loyal to the Spanish Crown. The Treaty of Lisbon (1668) confirmed Spanish sovereignty over the city, and Ceuta has remained part of Spain ever since.8/ Although Ceuta and Melilla are often discussed together today, their histories are different. Portugal captured Ceuta in 1415, while the Crown of Castile occupied Melilla in 1497. Only later did both cities become part of the same Spanish state.9/For the next few centuries, Ceuta and Melilla remained under Spanish rule while Morocco was governed by successive dynasties. Although relations between the two sides were not always peaceful, the modern territorial dispute had not yet fully emerged.10/Everything changed in the early 20th century. In 1912, France established a protectorate over most of Morocco, Spain administered northern Morocco and a smaller southern zone under separate protectorates.
For the first time, most of Morocco was under European colonial rule11/After decades of colonial rule, Morocco regained its independence in 1956.
However, not every Spanish-administered territory became part of the new Moroccan state. Ceuta, Melilla, Ifni and Spanish Sahara all remained under Spanish control.12/For Morocco's new leadership, independence was only the beginning.
King Mohammed V, and later King Hassan II, argued that territories historically linked to Morocco should eventually be reunited with the kingdom. This policy became known as Morocco's territorial integrity.13/Those claims extended beyond Ceuta and Melilla.
They also included Ifni and Spanish Sahara, although each dispute followed a different path. While some were eventually resolved through negotiations, others remain unresolved to this day.14/The first major confrontation came in 1957–58 during the Ifni War.
Morocco attempted to recover Spanish-controlled territory in southern Morocco, while Spain defended its remaining possessions. Although Spain retained Ifni, the conflict marked a new chapter in the relations.15/ Morocco also pursued its claims diplomatically.
In 1963, it raised the question of Spanish-administered territories at the United Nations, arguing that the decolonization process should address areas still under Spanish control.16/One dispute was eventually resolved.
In 1969, Spain transferred Ifni to Morocco through negotiations.
Western Sahara, however, remained under Spanish administration, setting the stage for the region's biggest dispute.17/ Spain administered Western Sahara until 1975. As it prepared to withdraw, two competing visions emerged. Morocco claimed the territory, while the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement, sought an independent Western Sahara instead.18/That same year, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion.
It acknowledged historical legal ties between some Sahrawi tribes and the Moroccan Sultan but concluded those ties did not establish Moroccan sovereignty or remove the Sahrawi people.19/Just weeks later, King Hassan II launched the Green March.
Around 350,000 unarmed
Moroccan civilians marched toward Western Sahara, increasing political pressure on Spain. Spain soon signed the Madrid Accords and withdrew from the territory.20/ The Polisario Front rejected the agreement, proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and fought Morocco. Algeria became its main supporter, before a UN-brokered ceasefire was reached in 1991.21/Tensions between Spain and Morocco continued.
In 2002, both countries nearly entered a military confrontation over the tiny, uninhabited Perejil (Leila) Island, located just off Morocco's coast near Ceuta. The crisis ended after Spanish forces retook the island.22/Understanding that history provides important context for the region and helps explain why developments involving Western Sahara or Spain's relations with Algeria are often closely watched i tried to keep this thread as balanced as possible. There is always more to the story.A few additional points worth knowing that I couldn't fully cover in the thread:
The legal status of Western Sahara under international law remains disputed.
Morocco and the Polisario Front have fundamentally different historical and legal arguments.
• Algeria's support for the Polisario Front has been central to the dispute for decades.
• Spain has repeatedly had to balance its relations with both Morocco and Algeria because of the issue.
A single thread can't cover every document, treaty and historical event, but I hope this provides a solid starting point for understanding the background.
yes
Why are Ceuta and Melilla Spanish?
Why does Morocco claim them?
And what does Western Sahara have to do with it?
Here's the history behind today's crisis. 🧵 ... 1/Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish autonomous cities located on the northern coast of Africa. Although geographically on the African continent, they are politically part of Spain and therefore the European Union, forming the EU's only land border with mainland Africa. ... 2/Ceuta sits beside the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints. Whoever controlled this coastline influenced trade, naval movements and access between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. ... 3/Long before modern Spain or Morocco existed, Ceuta was already an important city. Founded by the Phoenicians around the 7th century BC, it later became Carthaginian, Roman and Byzantine before coming under successive Muslim dynasties during the Middle Ages. ... 4/During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Christian powers competed for control of the western Mediterranean. Ceuta became one of the region's most important ports, changing hands several times as different dynasties fought for influence across the Strait of Gibraltar. ... 5/Everything changed in 1415. Portugal launched a major military expedition across the Strait of Gibraltar and captured Ceuta. Many historians consider the conquest the beginning of Portugal's overseas empire and the first step in Europe's Age of Exploration. ... 6/In 1580, Portugal and Spain came under the same monarch during the Iberian Union. Although Portugal remained a separate kingdom, Ceuta was now governed under the Spanish Crown together with the rest of Portugal's overseas possessions. ... 7/ The Iberian Union ended in 1640, when Portugal regained its independence. Ceuta, however, remained loyal to the Spanish Crown. The Treaty of Lisbon (1668) confirmed Spanish sovereignty over the city, and Ceuta has remained part of Spain ever since. ... 8/ Although Ceuta and Melilla are often discussed together today, their histories are different. Portugal captured Ceuta in 1415, while the Crown of Castile occupied Melilla in 1497. Only later did both cities become part of the same Spanish state. ... 9/For the next few centuries, Ceuta and Melilla remained under Spanish rule while Morocco was governed by successive dynasties. Although relations between the two sides were not always peaceful, the modern territorial dispute had not yet fully emerged. ... 10/Everything changed in the early 20th century. In 1912, France established a protectorate over most of Morocco, Spain administered northern Morocco and a smaller southern zone under separate protectorates.
For the first time, most of Morocco was under European colonial rule ... 11/After decades of colonial rule, Morocco regained its independence in 1956.
However, not every Spanish-administered territory became part of the new Moroccan state. Ceuta, Melilla, Ifni and Spanish Sahara all remained under Spanish control. ... 12/For Morocco's new leadership, independence was only the beginning.
King Mohammed V, and later King Hassan II, argued that territories historically linked to Morocco should eventually be reunited with the kingdom. This policy became known as Morocco's territorial integrity. ... 13/Those claims extended beyond Ceuta and Melilla.
They also included Ifni and Spanish Sahara, although each dispute followed a different path. While some were eventually resolved through negotiations, others remain unresolved to this day. ... 14/The first major confrontation came in 1957–58 during the Ifni War.
Morocco attempted to recover Spanish-controlled territory in southern Morocco, while Spain defended its remaining possessions. Although Spain retained Ifni, the conflict marked a new chapter in the relations. ... 15/ Morocco also pursued its claims diplomatically.
In 1963, it raised the question of Spanish-administered territories at the United Nations, arguing that the decolonization process should address areas still under Spanish control. ... 16/One dispute was eventually resolved.
In 1969, Spain transferred Ifni to Morocco through negotiations.
Western Sahara, however, remained under Spanish administration, setting the stage for the region's biggest dispute. ... 17/ Spain administered Western Sahara until 1975. As it prepared to withdraw, two competing visions emerged. Morocco claimed the territory, while the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement, sought an independent Western Sahara instead. ... 18/That same year, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion.
It acknowledged historical legal ties between some Sahrawi tribes and the Moroccan Sultan but concluded those ties did not establish Moroccan sovereignty or remove the Sahrawi people. ... 19/Just weeks later, King Hassan II launched the Green March.
Around 350,000 unarmed
Moroccan civilians marched toward Western Sahara, increasing political pressure on Spain. Spain soon signed the Madrid Accords and withdrew from the territory. ... 20/ The Polisario Front rejected the agreement, proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and fought Morocco. Algeria became its main supporter, before a UN-brokered ceasefire was reached in 1991. ... 21/Tensions between Spain and Morocco continued.
In 2002, both countries nearly entered a military confrontation over the tiny, uninhabited Perejil (Leila) Island, located just off Morocco's coast near Ceuta. The crisis ended after Spanish forces retook the island. ... 22/Understanding that history provides important context for the region and helps explain why developments involving Western Sahara or Spain's relations with Algeria are often closely watched i tried to keep this thread as balanced as possible. There is always more to the story. ... A few additional points worth knowing that I couldn't fully cover in the thread:
The legal status of Western Sahara under international law remains disputed.
Morocco and the Polisario Front have fundamentally different historical and legal arguments.
• Algeria's support for the Polisario Front has been central to the dispute for decades.
• Spain has repeatedly had to balance its relations with both Morocco and Algeria because of the issue.
A single thread can't cover every document, treaty and historical event, but I hope this provides a solid starting point for understanding the background.
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