Ceuta border crisis: New mass crossing feared on August 15

Spanish authorities are on alert for a potential large-scale border crossing into the enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, with social media in Morocco indicating a possible attempt on August 15. Spanish media reported calls circulating on Moroccan social networks urging people to cross the border on that date.

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There is no escape from smart glasses. One must expect to be filmed and subsequently exposed on the internet at any time.

In response to the ongoing pressure, the Spanish Civil Guard units serving Ceuta and Melilla have had all new leaves and vacations canceled. Local newspaper Ceuta al Día reported that Morocco has also strengthened its security measures near the border. Marko Juntunen, a researcher at the University of Helsinki who monitors Moroccan social media, confirmed the recurring mention of August 15 as a departure date.

Juntunen explained that crossings from Morocco to Ceuta or mainland Spain often intensify in August. This is attributed to more favorable sea conditions, including warmer water and calmer waves, making the journey less perilous. He noted the presence of numerous online groups, some with over 50,000 members, where migration-related information is shared. These platforms, which once served as outlets for social criticism in Morocco due to limited independent media, now increasingly focus on facilitating migration.

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The readiness or willingness to leave has not changed at all.

Juntunen's research reveals posts discussing the need for wetsuits and flippers, with some individuals planning kayak departures from Ksar Sghir directly to Spain. Others are searching for relatives lost during sea crossings, and some are posting farewell messages to their mothers, often accompanied by the August 15 date. Spain appears determined to prevent a repeat of the events at the end of July, when an estimated 70,000 people crossed the border into Ceuta after border controls failed, resulting in nearly a hundred deaths.

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