A Spanish newspaper reports that Moroccan ships have disabled the automatic identification system in the waters of Ceuta

According to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, the newspaper revealed new details about the entry of Moroccan military ships into Ceuta's territorial waters during the early days of the mass migration crisis.

The newspaper reported that these ships disabled the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which automatically broadcasts the vessel's identification, location, direction and speed data, making it difficult to locate them. She explained that this system is not mandatory on warships, and that it is a preventive measure to avoid a collision. Especially in busy sea areas such as the Strait of Gibraltar.

The newspaper added that the Moroccan army did not respond to repeated messages sent by its Spanish counterpart via Channel 16, which is dedicated to distress and emergency calls. It stated that the Spanish patrol ship "Isla Pinto" almost collided with a Moroccan boat at sea during a maneuver to force Moroccan ships to leave Spanish waters. Considering that the accident could have had serious consequences.

She referred to the participation of the Moroccan frigate "Tariq bin Ziyad" in entering and exiting the waters repeatedly, the illegal entry of Moroccan fishing vessels, and the announcement by some of them that their country's authorities allowed them to fish there. It also reported that the region witnessed intense electronic activity, but no Moroccan drones flew over Ceuta.

According to the newspaper's sources, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez conveyed his protest and concern to his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita. who claimed to be unaware of the matter, and recommended that it be processed through military channels. At the end of the first week of August, after talks between high-ranking military officials from the two countries, Moroccan ships withdrew from the waters of Ceuta and stopped incursions.

The Spanish newspaper ABC reported a new Moroccan incursion into the waters of Ceuta on October 13, the day after the Spanish king visited the city, as a Moroccan patrol boat remained in the waters for seven hours. On the other hand, maritime sources confirmed that the incident took place a week before the visit. وأن الزورق كان يعاني عطلاً فنياً في نظام الدفع، وكان تحت المراقبة طوال وجوده، ولذلك اعتُبر الحادث عرضياً وليس عملاً عدائياً.

المصدر: لكم - https://lakome2.com/politique/435408/