Hackers Leak Data on 70,000 Moroccan Agents

A group of hackers has exposed the personal data of 70,000 Moroccan intelligence agents, alleging that the mass crossing of migrants into Ceuta in 2021 was orchestrated by the Moroccan state rather than occurring spontaneously. The leak, which reportedly includes names and positions tied to Morocco's intelligence services, has triggered significant reaction among Spanish analysts specialising in Moroccan affairs.

Ignacio Cembrero, a veteran journalist known for his coverage of Morocco, warned that should Rabat come to suspect Spanish involvement in the leak, there could be serious diplomatic fallout. His comments underline the sensitivity surrounding intelligence matters between the two neighbouring countries, which share a long and often fraught history over territorial and migration issues.

Jorge Dezcallar, who previously headed Spain's intelligence agency, also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that Morocco must conduct a thorough examination of the situation before drawing conclusions about who is responsible. His remarks hint at the delicate nature of attributing blame in cases involving state espionage networks, where allegations can carry heavy political weight.

The crossing referenced in the leak took place in May 2021, when thousands of migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Morocco's northern coast, within a very short timeframe. That event triggered a major diplomatic rift between Madrid and Rabat at the time, with Spain accusing Morocco of using migration as a form of political pressure. The new claims from the hacker group appear to reinforce that earlier suspicion, framing the crossing not as a spontaneous humanitarian episode but as a calculated act of state policy.

As of now, neither the Spanish nor the Moroccan government has issued an official statement addressing the leak or the accusations tied to it. The identity and motives of the hacking group remain unknown, and questions persist about the authenticity and origin of the leaked material. Analysts caution that the episode could further strain an already complicated bilateral relationship, particularly given the sensitivity of intelligence-related matters and the historical tensions surrounding Ceuta's status as a point of contention between the two nations.