LONDON: Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish-controlled cities on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, remain at the heart of one of the world’s longest-running territorial disputes. In recent times, they have become key points in Europe’s migration-control system. Spain depends heavily on Moroccan security forces to stop migrants from reaching the cities. When relations deteriorate, Madrid frequently accuses Rabat of easing border enforcement to apply diplomatic pressure.

Ubicada en el norte de África, la ciudad autónoma de Ceuta representa la única frontera terrestre de la Unión Europea junto a Melilla y arrastra una disputa secular.

Migration has been a politically sensitive issue for Morocco and Spain for years. Now it's become a flashpoint.