Moroccan authorities apprehended over 100 individuals on Saturday as they attempted to breach the border into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta. The heightened security measures followed social media calls for a mass migrant crossing, reminiscent of the recent surge that saw more than 72,000 migrants entering Ceuta, resulting in over 96 fatalities.
A source from Morocco’s Interior Ministry disclosed that the detained included 109 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and two Moroccan nationals in or near Fnideq, the Moroccan city facing Ceuta. Reports from Spanish news agency EFE indicated that Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse migrant groups gathered near the border. Subsequently, a significant police presence, comprising officers in riot gear and plain clothes, was observed returning from the outskirts of Fnideq.
In Ceuta, Spanish military personnel secured supermarkets while police maintained a strong presence in the enclave’s main thoroughfares. Following the tragic events of July 30, Madrid bolstered security by installing a maritime barrier and deploying over 500 additional police officers from mainland Spain, bringing the total force in Ceuta to more than 1,600.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska affirmed the commitment to restoring normalcy and preventing future incidents akin to July 30. Approximately 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, with some seeking refuge under makeshift shelters on El Trampolin beach. Grande-Marlaska emphasized that unauthorized migrants would not be permitted to stay, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status unless under exceptional circumstances.
Recent reports indicated increased security near the border, with police vans equipped with wire shields and road checkpoints. Concerns over potential mass crossings prompted authorities to restrict travel from cities like Casablanca, Fez, and Kenitra, though some sub-Saharan migrants reportedly found alternative routes to Fnideq.
The situation was further underscored by young individuals in Ceuta advising against crossing, citing the difficulties and risks involved. Despite the challenges, concerns persisted over organized mass crossings orchestrated by certain groups, prompting heightened vigilance near the borders and strategic locations in both Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s other North African enclave.
