Morocco arrests over 100 attempting to enter Ceuta

Moroccan authorities apprehended at least 111 individuals attempting to cross into Ceuta, Spain's North African territory, on Saturday. This incident occurred amid heightened security on both sides of the border, following social media appeals for another large-scale crossing.

The attempted entry comes just two weeks after a massive surge of over 72,000 migrants into Ceuta, an event that strained relations within the European Union and amplified anti-immigration sentiments globally. That earlier crossing tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 96 people.

According to a source within Morocco's interior ministry, the detained individuals included 109 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and two Moroccan nationals. Moroccan police reportedly used tear gas to disperse groups near the border. Spanish news agency EFE and state broadcaster TVE reported that Moroccan authorities ordered their journalists to leave Fnideq, the Moroccan city opposite Ceuta, without explanation.

In Ceuta, Spanish soldiers maintained a visible presence, guarding supermarkets, while police patrolled the streets. The situation was calmer than in the immediate aftermath of the July 30th incident. Spain has since reinforced its border security, deploying over 500 additional police officers, 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 prevent a recurrence of the July events.

Grande-Marlaska also indicated that migrants who entered irregularly would not be permitted to stay, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in cases of extreme vulnerability. Those without a right to remain would be returned to Morocco. Rabat had previously announced it was monitoring social media posts inciting a mass crossing and warned of prosecution for organizers and participants.

“

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