The Centro Nacional de Inteligencia (CNI), Spain's intelligence agency, has reportedly restricted its operations in Morocco, marking a significant shift in its intelligence and counter-intelligence activities in the region.

Sources indicate that, for at least the past three years, the CNI's presence in Morocco has been notably diminished, with agents operating primarily in a symbolic capacity and mainly engaged in bureaucratic tasks rather than direct intelligence work.

According to these sources, the covert infrastructures where CNI teams normally operate have been stripped of agents, leaving them without the necessary oversight in areas critical to Spanish interests such as defense, geopolitical security, counter-terrorism, migration, and business.

The abrupt withdrawal of agents reportedly followed directives from the Spanish government, which has not publicly explained the rationale behind this decision.

Intelligence officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of operations in Morocco, emphasizing the importance of intelligence control in a country viewed as strategically crucial for Spain.

Official statements from the CNI contradict claims of reduced operations, asserting that their informational needs in Morocco are being adequately met and rejecting allegations of any limitations imposed on their activities in the region.

This withdrawal occurred amid efforts by the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to strengthen diplomatic ties with Morocco, particularly in the areas of security and migration.

Additionally, Spain’s recent recognition of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara marked a notable shift from its historical position that supported a referendum for self-determination in the region.

The Sánchez administration has not clarified the reasons for this diplomatic realignment regarding Western Sahara.

Sources within the national intelligence community suggest that the government's cautious approach stems from a desire to maintain amicable relations with Morocco, which has been characterized by past diplomatic tensions.

Notably, in May 2021, Morocco's response to Spain's hosting of Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, included facilitating mass migration toward the Spanish city of Ceuta, where nearly 8,000 migrants crossed the border in a short period.

This incident illustrated Morocco's leverage over Spain regarding migration issues.

Further complicating the relationship, reports indicate that the leading Spanish officials, including Sánchez himself, along with Defense Minister Margarita Robles and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, were targets of the Pegasus spyware incident linked to Moroccan intelligence.

Investigations have suggested that over 200 mobile phones belonging to Spanish officials were selected for surveillance, implicating Morocco's involvement in the espionage program developed by the Israeli company NSO Group.

A recent visit from a delegation of European parliamentarians aimed to investigate the espionage allegations, where they found it plausible that Moroccan authorities may have been responsible for the surveillance activity.

Amid these revelations, the parliamentarians expressed frustration with the Spanish government's limited cooperation in their inquiry.

They highlighted the lack of meetings with key government ministers, raising concerns about transparency and accountability regarding allegations of foreign espionage targeting Spanish officials.