Moroccan authorities arrested 111 migrants on Saturday after a group attempted to cross into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, following calls on social media for another mass border crossing. The arrests occurred near Fnideq, the Moroccan city bordering Ceuta, where security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds gathered on hills roughly two miles from the border.
Spanish and Moroccan forces intercepted the group, which included 109 sub-Saharan Africans and two Moroccan nationals, according to Morocco’s interior ministry. The attempt follows a larger influx of migrants into Ceuta on July 30, when over 72,000 people entered the enclave, with 145 deaths reported during the crossing.
Security measures and responses
Spain had deployed more than 500 additional police officers and soldiers ahead of the expected attempt, bringing the total security presence in Ceuta to over 1,600 personnel. A barrier was also installed in the sea to deter swimmers attempting to reach the territory. Spanish authorities reported that most of the 72,000 migrants who entered on July 30 have since returned to Morocco, though around 5,000 remain, including many living in makeshift shelters.
Moroccan officials had monitored social media posts calling for a mass crossing on August 15, a public holiday in Spain, and warned that organizers and participants could face prosecution. A message posted to an online forum stated: “The Ceuta border will be open on the 15th.”
Background and context
Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city on Africa’s northern coast, form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. The enclaves have seen repeated attempts by migrants to cross, often organized via social media. The July 30 incident marked one of the largest single-day border crossings in recent years, prompting both Spain and Morocco to reinforce security measures.
Spanish interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that migrants remaining in Ceuta would be returned to Morocco, except in cases of extreme vulnerability. Local residents in Ceuta have reported mixed reactions, with some providing aid while others have formed neighborhood watch groups with aggressive tactics.
The latest attempt underscores ongoing challenges in managing migration flows at Europe’s southern borders, with both countries emphasizing enforcement while grappling with the humanitarian and logistical demands of such crossings.