Moroccan security forces arrest nearly 300 migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta

Moroccan security forces apprehended nearly 300 migrants on Sunday, attempting to reach Spain's Ceuta exclave, according to Moroccan state television. The arrests took place as authorities heightened border security following a surge in calls for a new mass crossing. Moroccan state broadcaster Medi 1 TV reported that 294 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were detained on Saturday while trying to enter Ceuta.

Additionally, 61 Moroccans were arrested for allegedly aiding the migrants' attempts. The attempts followed a series of social media posts urging migrants to head to Ceuta, a Spanish city situated on Morocco's northern coast. In response, Moroccan and Spanish authorities increased security presence in the region, limiting movement towards the area.

This incident follows a deadly migration crisis in the region two weeks ago, where tens of thousands of migrants, driven by poverty and misinformation, rushed towards Ceuta. At least 90 people lost their lives on both sides of the border, with human rights groups claiming higher casualty numbers. The Moroccan interior ministry did not provide a response to the AP regarding the latest arrests or the number of security personnel deployed along the border to prevent another migration push.

A senior Moroccan diplomat stated that over 20,000 Moroccan security personnel are stationed daily along the border with Ceuta, at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.