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A crisis with Morocco : Spain rejects the use of drones in Ceuta and Melilla

For the moment some «problems» have prevented the Spanish government from using drones to monitor the borders separating Morocco from Ceuta and Melilla. Instead, the Ministry of Interior satisfied itself with reinforcing the security forces deployed in the area.

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Using drones, known also as unmanned aerial vehicle, to keep an eye on the borders of Ceuta and Melilla has been debated for a while. For the moment, the Spanish Ministry of Interior has rejected this option.

«The windy weather makes it difficult for (the drones) to operate in the Spanish territory and this will create problems with Morocco», sources from the Ministry of Interior told the ABC. On the other hand, the Ministry plans to install cameras that would cover a wide field of view.

Using drones to watch the borders

Reinforcing their security approach, the Spanish authorities are trying to stop the flow of migrants, especially to compensate for the little cooperation of the Moroccan part, observed during the last months.

Thus, the Spanish ministry is working on  strengthening the security forces deployed all along the borders with Morocco. This plan «will be hard, expensive and it would take a lot of time», warn the same sources.

Undoubtedly, the next budget law will provide more details on the financial resources devoted to the surveillance of Ceuta and Melilla. Currently 625 police officers and 722 Guardia Civil elements are deployed in Ceuta while 625 and 763 are sent to Melilla.

For the record, last February and amid the crisis with migrants, José Antonio Nieto, has announced that Ceuta will be equipped «as soon as possible» with a range of drones to watch the borders separating the two countries.

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