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Spain and Morocco deploy extra forces to Ceuta border amid planned migrant incursion alert
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Conflict & Security

Spain and Morocco deploy extra forces to Ceuta border amid planned migrant incursion alert

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Spain and Morocco have deployed additional security forces along the border of Ceuta due to alerts of a new migrant incursion.
  • Social media posts have called for a mass attempt to cross into the Spanish enclave on August 15th.
  • Authorities are monitoring online activity and coordinating a joint response to prevent illegal border crossings.

Spain and Morocco have significantly bolstered their border security in and around the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, a Spanish city in North Africa, following intelligence about a potential new mass migrant incursion. Thousands of police officers and soldiers from both nations have been deployed along the border.

The heightened security measures come in response to viral social media posts circulating calls for a coordinated attempt by migrants to storm the border on August 15th, a Spanish national holiday. This follows a record influx of 7,200 migrants into Ceuta just last month, overwhelming local resources.

we are taking all necessary measures to prevent any attempt at illegal border crossing.

โ€” Raลกid El KalfiSpokesperson for Morocco's Ministry of Interior, confirming preventative actions.

Authorities in Madrid and Rabat are actively monitoring online platforms and collaborating on a joint strategy to thwart any such attempts. Rashid El Kalfi, spokesperson for Morocco's Ministry of Interior, confirmed that the country is "taking all necessary measures to prevent any attempt at illegal border crossing." Reports indicate a substantial increase in security personnel near the Moroccan border town of Fnideq.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska visited Ceuta to inspect border infrastructure, including a new floating barrier designed to deter swimmers. He announced that security forces in the enclave have been reinforced with 300 police officers and 2,000 soldiers. "We are doing this to deter anyone intending to enter Ceuta and Melilla irregularly," Grande-Marlaska stated, adding a stern warning: "None of them will remain in Ceuta, none will reach the Iberian Peninsula, and none will obtain legal status."

We are doing this to deter anyone intending to enter Ceuta and Melilla irregularly. None of them will remain in Ceuta, none will reach the Iberian Peninsula, and none will obtain legal status.

โ€” Fernando Grande-MarlaskaSpanish Interior Minister, explaining the purpose of the reinforced security and warning migrants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.