The Background of the Immigration Wave in Spain: A Natural Movement or an Organized Operation?

The massive irregular immigration movement on the border of Spain's Sebta has once again put Europe on alert, while Dr. Ali Zafer Sağıroğlu stated that what happened was not an ordinary immigration influx. Sağıroğlu stated that immigration was used as a tool for political pressure and that the incident could have an impact on European politics and elections. In the last days of July, hundreds of irregular immigrants trying to reach Spain's city of Sebta on the North African coast have fueled migration debates in Europe. The massive attempts to cross the border in a short period have also raised debates about whether this is an ordinary irregular immigration movement or an organized operation. The words of Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente, "Apparently, everything is becoming clearer and clearer," have also strengthened the allegations that the sudden wave of immigration in Ceuta may be due to the reaction of actors who oppose Spain's policy on Palestine. Dr. Ali Zafer Sağıroğlu said, "It is not possible to explain this situation only with economic reasons. We are facing an organized process."

When we look at the statistics of the last 5 years, after the pandemic period, there is a very low number of crossings to Europe in the first six months of this year.

Sağıroğlu made striking evaluations, stating that the images reflected on social media do not indicate an ordinary immigration flow.

It is understood that this mobility is not a natural mobility.

According to Dr. Ali Zafer Sağıroğlu, one of the most striking aspects of the incident is the use of immigration as a political pressure tool, described in international literature as "weaponization of migration":

Now, beyond what happened here, there are some things behind the scenes. First, there is something called the weaponization of migration.

Sağıroğlu, who reminded that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been pursuing more inclusive policies towards immigrants for a long time, stated that the massive crossings could have serious political consequences for the government, especially in the upcoming election process:

It seems that they have taken into account the reactions that will arise from public opinion against the government headed by Sanchez in Spain.

Sağıroğlu said that the role of the Moroccan administration behind the incident should be carefully examined.

As is known, Sanchez and the government he heads are against Israel's actions.

Sağıroğlu also stated that many videos on social media were prepared with professional camera angles and planning, drawing attention to the fact that the images were used to support the political discourse of figures like Trump and Elon Musk.

When we think about the motivation behind it and combine some pieces, a picture like this emerges.

Finally, Sağıroğlu emphasized that the incident in Sebta cannot be explained solely by economic reasons, making the following evaluation:

Populist politicians or political actors like Trump and Musk are using this to say, "Look, we were right in what we said."

Lastly, Sağıroğlu said, "Evaluating this incident as an ordinary irregular immigration movement would be a very naive approach. There are many indicators pointing to the planning and organization of states, governments, or intelligence agencies. What happened should be read as one of the latest examples of the use of immigration for political and geopolitical purposes."

Evaluating this incident as an ordinary irregular immigration movement would be a very naive approach.