In late July, 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in an unprecedented border crisis.

ISD’s Moustafa Ayad spoke to Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) The Radio National Hour about the events leading up to this surge and the claims that Russian information-operations played a role online.

Moustafa highlighted that a misinterpreted decision by the Spanish Supreme Court played a role in the influx of migrants to Ceuta. Many of those attempting to emigrate were young people, which Moustafa highlighted illustrates the fertile ground for this inaccurate messaging, which claimed migrants would be able to stay in Europe and not be deported upon arrival.

“We are living, globally, through tough economic times,” Moustafa said. “Morocco has always had an issue with underemployed or unemployed young men, who were looking for ways to make money, and Europe has always been seen, not just in Morocco but in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa, as a chance to really start your life and contribute meaningfully to your parents or your extended families lives.”

In response to a question about the Spanish prime minister’s claims that misinformation networks amplified the online claims, Moustafa discussed previous Russian attacks that exploit post-migrations environments and ISD’s previous research into Russian information operation Storm-1516.

Moustafa emphasized how this event provides a stark example of the real-world impact of online campaigns.

“The ability to capitalize on any crisis, state and nonstate actors will use to push divisive narratives in order to sow further chaos in the countries that they see as hostile.”

The full podcast is available on ABC.