Spanische Nordafrika-Exklave: Trotz Online-Aufrufen: Zunächst kein neuer Ansturm auf Ceuta

Despite social media calls for another mass crossing to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, fears of a new migrant surge have not materialized. The situation at the border and within the enclave remained peaceful throughout the day, despite Spain and especially Morocco significantly increasing their security measures in advance.

At the border, there was absolute calm, reported a dpa correspondent on the ground. "In the city center, there is even a semblance of peace, we see nothing of it. We only occasionally see police and military patrolling," he said. Only in the outskirts were groups of young migrants observed. The state broadcaster RTVE and other Spanish media reported a largely relaxed situation in the enclave.

The Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, reiterated that the mass arrival of two weeks ago would not happen again, calling it an "extraordinary" event that would not be repeated. The Spanish Interior Ministry recently announced that it had arrested a group suspected of inciting new attempts at illegal entry into Ceuta and Melilla.

Moroccan security forces were heavily present around Ceuta and Melilla, with barbed wire, water cannons, and patrol boats in place to prevent possible border crossings. Hundreds of migrants, mostly from countries south of the Sahara, were stopped near the city of Fnideq, 20 kilometers from Ceuta, and prevented from making another crossing attempt.

According to the Moroccan Interior Ministry, 111 migrants were arrested without valid documents on Saturday. Morocco had also significantly increased its security measures, erecting additional barbed wire and NATO wire barriers in Fnideq, deploying patrol boats to monitor the coast, and setting up numerous checkpoints on the approach roads.

Spaniards were also bolstering security, with 880 police officers from the National Police stationed in Ceuta - 270 more than late July - supported by around 2,000 soldiers and about 700 officials from the Guardia Civil. The return to normalcy will take time, conceded the Spanish Minister of the Interior.