Morocco arrests 111 as migrants attempt to reach Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta
Morocco arrested at least 111 people attempting to reach Ceuta as authorities tightened security following online calls for another mass migrant crossing.
Moroccan authorities detained 111 individuals on Saturday who attempted to cross into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta. The incident occurred amidst heightened security measures on both sides of the border following social media calls for another mass migrant crossing. Two weeks prior, over 72,000 migrants breached Ceuta, leading to tensions within the European Union and heightened anti-immigration sentiments globally.
A Moroccan Interior Ministry insider revealed that the detainees comprised 109 sub-Saharan African migrants and two Moroccan citizens apprehended near Fnideq, the Moroccan city adjacent to Ceuta.
Spanish news agency EFE reported that Moroccan police utilized tear gas to disperse groups of migrants near hills situated approximately 3 km from the border. Upon witnessing the deployment of hundreds of police officers, some in riot gear and others in plain clothes, from Fnideq, Reuters corroborated the claim. Moroccan Interior Ministry ordered Spanish journalists to leave Fnideq without specifying reasons.
Spain has fortified its security since the deadly crossing attempt on July 30. Spanish soldiers now guard supermarkets, while police patrol the city's main streets. Ceuta has experienced a calmer atmosphere compared to the days following the July 30 incident. Madrid has installed a maritime barrier and deployed over 500 additional police from mainland Spain, totaling more than 1,600 in Ceuta, which will stay until the situation stabilizes.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska affirmed that reinforcements will persist as long as necessary to restore normalcy and deter events similar to July 30.
Approximately 5,000 migrants still reside in Ceuta. Grande-Marlaska stated that migrants who entered unlawfully would not remain in the enclave, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare instances involving extreme vulnerability. Those lacking a right to stay would be repatriated to Morocco.
Earlier this week, Rabat expressed vigilance over the dissemination of social media posts and messages of unknown origin urging a mass crossing on August 15, threatening to prosecute organizers and participants. A Reuters observer observed reinforced security near the border, comprising police vans equipped with wire shields and road checkpoints.
Local media reported comparable measures near Spain's other North African enclave, Melilla. Authorities thwarted several groups from boarding trains and buses to northern Morocco in cities like Casablanca, Fez, and Kenitra; however, some migrants from sub-Saharan Africa bypassed security checkpoints by taking mountain routes towards Fnideq.
Fnideq schools were reportedly transformed into shelters for security forces stationed near the border. One witness claimed that schools in Fnideq had been repurposed to accommodate security personnel deployed near the border. The 22-year-old Fez resident, Driss Sadik, who swam for five hours to reach Ceuta, advised others against crossing, emphasizing that migrants would only suffer.
Another 17-year-old migrant, Adil Jamil, cautioned that migrants would not benefit from entering Ceuta; instead, they would face an ongoing struggle without a solution. Jamil asserted that mass border crossings were orchestrated by those who select a date, gather in Fnideq, and cross together for collective strength. He opined that those who risk their lives to cross might find a better future.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
