Morocco arrests 111 migrants attempting to cross into Ceuta

Moroccan police apprehended at least 111 individuals on Saturday as they attempted to cross into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. The crackdown occurred amid heightened security measures on both sides of the border, reportedly in response to social media posts encouraging another mass migrant crossing.

The attempted crossing took place just two weeks after a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta, which led to diplomatic tensions within the European Union and fueled anti-immigration sentiments globally. That earlier event resulted in the deaths of at least 96 people.

According to a source from Morocco's Interior Ministry, those detained included 109 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and two Moroccan citizens. They were arrested in or near Fnideq, the Moroccan city directly opposite Ceuta. Reports indicate that Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse groups of migrants gathered in hills approximately 3 kilometers from the border.

In Ceuta, Spanish authorities have increased security, with soldiers guarding supermarkets and police patrolling the main streets. Madrid has reinforced its presence by installing a maritime barrier and deploying over 500 additional police officers, bringing the total security personnel in the enclave to more than 1,600. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that these reinforcements would remain as long as necessary to prevent a recurrence of the July 30 events.

Morocco's Interior Ministry had previously announced it was monitoring social media activity calling for a mass crossing on August 15 and warned of prosecution for organizers and participants. Security near the border was visibly reinforced, with police vans and checkpoints in place. Authorities also reportedly prevented groups from traveling by train and bus to northern Morocco.

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We’ll continue to deploy whatever personnel are necessary to restore normality as soon as possible and prevent events like those of July 30 from happening again.