Morocco arrests 111 migrants headed for Spain’s Ceuta

Moroccan authorities apprehended at least 111 people attempting to cross into Spain's enclave of Ceuta, a North African territory. The operation took place under tightened security measures on both sides of the border, prompted by social media posts encouraging a large-scale migrant crossing.

The attempted influx occurred just two weeks after a significant event where over 72,000 migrants surged into Ceuta. That incident heightened tensions within the European Union and fueled anti-immigration sentiments globally, particularly among far-right political groups. Reports indicate that at least 96 individuals died during the perilous journey to reach European soil in that prior event.

According to a source within Morocco's Interior Ministry, those detained included 109 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and two Moroccan nationals. They were apprehended in or near Fnideq, the Moroccan city directly opposite Ceuta. Spanish news agency EFE reported that Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse groups of migrants gathered on hills approximately 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from the border.

In Ceuta, Spanish soldiers maintained a visible presence, guarding supermarkets, while police conducted heavy patrols throughout the enclave's main streets. Madrid has since bolstered its security presence, deploying over 500 additional police officers from mainland Spain, bringing the total in Ceuta to more than 1,600. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that these reinforcements would remain as long as necessary to restore normality and prevent recurrence of past events. He also noted that approximately 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, many sheltering under makeshift structures on the urban beach.

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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.