New Surge Expected at Ceuta Border August 15 as Migrants Mobilize Online

Social media platforms are reportedly being used to organize a potential mass mobilization of migrants aiming to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on August 15. This follows a significant surge on July 31, when approximately 60,000 migrants attempted to breach the EU's border with Africa. That event led to the deaths of at least 90 individuals, with others still missing.

Information on how to best reach Ceuta from Morocco, including details about successful crossings and optimal routes like the water route or around the Tarajal breakwater, was allegedly shared on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Now, new posts are circulating, calling for a coordinated action on August 15. Spanish security authorities have warned that the upcoming attempt could be even larger than the one at the end of July.

An investigation by "Maldita" revealed over ten groups with a combined 422,560 members planning to head to the coast again, with "El Tarajal / Bab Sebta" frequently mentioned as a meeting point. The EU Commission, which previously criticized social media's role in the July events, has announced further measures. EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen stated that platforms will be specifically checked for disinformation to prevent criminal networks from attracting potential migrants with false information, which has tragically led to deaths in the past.

Former EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton criticized the Commission for not yet launching a disinformation investigation into the Ceuta crisis. He described the events as the "first large-scale algorithmic hybrid attack." Breton urged for an initiative that links current migration control regulations with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a framework he helped advance. The DSA includes provisions for mitigating systemic risks and mechanisms that can be activated during crises.

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The first large-scale algorithmic hybrid attack.