Italian intelligence services have produced a report on possible risks of jihadist radicalization and recruitment in Ceuta, the Spanish exclave in North Africa at the center of a recent wave of migrant arrivals. The document was shared with the government and concerns the possibility that the area could become a recruitment center for terrorist cells, with information gathered in coordination with Spanish intelligence services as well.

The report comes within the framework of the diplomatic crisis between Italy and Spain, which led to the reinstatement of border controls between the two countries. The crisis is linked to the political clash between the Italian government under Giorgia Meloni and the Spanish administration under Pedro Sánchez, but according to intelligence reports, security risks in the Spanish exclave represent an additional factor.

Italian intelligence is also monitoring a social media mobilization campaign regarding a possible new migrant crossing toward Ceuta. Conversations analyzed in WhatsApp chats, Facebook groups, and TikTok content initially referenced a date around August 15, but some communications suggested a possible earlier date. Investigators have identified several possible departure points and phone numbers connected to countries including Morocco, the United States, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal. According to intelligence, the elements gathered suggest a coordinated effort behind the online mobilization campaign.

There are diverging assessments regarding the scale of arrivals. The Spanish government reportedly spoke of approximately three thousand people, while the mayor of Ceuta has denounced the arrival of eleven thousand. Spain has meanwhile deployed maritime barriers to prevent further crossings.

Il Fatto Quotidiano has put forward the hypothesis that the intelligence report may have been released to retroactively justify the measures adopted by the Italian government against Spain, describing it as a possible political cover. This interpretation is not confirmed by other news outlets and remains a matter of debate. According to some observers, Europe should instead hold Morocco accountable for the wave of migration toward Ceuta, viewed by some commentators as an exercise in political pressure, rather than focusing on the clash between Rome and Madrid.

Developments are expected in the coming hours, with particular attention to the dates flagged in the monitored online communications and to any new arrivals toward the exclave.