Morocco uses tear gas, water cannons against crowd near Ceuta

Moroccan authorities deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse a large crowd gathered at the border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The forceful intervention pushed hundreds of migrants, predominantly Moroccans, back towards the nearby town of Fnajdek. Many of these individuals expressed their determination to continue their attempts to reach Ceuta.

Thousands of migrants had managed to enter Ceuta without authorization from Morocco on Wednesday and Thursday, with the majority arriving by sea. The migrants, mostly young men but also including women and children, navigated coastal barriers and approached Ceuta via beaches and adjacent roads. The situation has been described as critical by Civil Guard officers in the area, who fear operational collapse.

In response to the escalating situation, Spain announced on Thursday evening that it would dispatch 60 soldiers, dive teams, and coast guard vessels to Ceuta to reinforce security. The influx of migrants has led to perilous attempts to reach Spanish territory, with several individuals reportedly losing their lives during these efforts.

"They dispersed us, but we will not stop trying," a young Moroccan attempting to cross told the agency, encapsulating the persistent drive of those seeking entry. The deployment of additional Spanish security forces underscores the severity of the border situation and the ongoing challenges posed by irregular migration attempts into the European Union via Spanish territories.

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They dispersed us, but we will not stop trying.