Moroccan Authorities Detain 111 Amid Ceuta Border Surge
Mass crossing attempt follows social media calls, prompting significant security deployments and renewed diplomatic tensions.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Moroccan authorities arrested at least 111 individuals near Fnideq following calls for a mass crossing into Ceuta.
Those detained included 109 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and two Moroccan citizens, a source within Morocco’s interior ministry confirmed.
The arrests occurred as over 72,000 migrants surged into Ceuta on July 30. This attempted crossing was reportedly prompted by social media appeals and posts indicating the border would be open on August 15.
Moroccan police reportedly used tear gas to disperse groups near the border, with video footage showing crowds sprinting towards the Castillejos crossing. Moroccan authorities also stopped groups from boarding trains and buses heading toward northern Morocco.
Reinforcements, including armored vehicles and a surveillance helicopter, were deployed by Moroccan forces. Spain responded by deploying maritime barriers and over 500 additional security personnel to Ceuta.
A floating sea barrier was reportedly installed on August 1. All military leave in the territory was canceled in response to the attempted crossings.
Local schools in Fnideq were converted into temporary accommodation for security forces. Morocco’s interior ministry reportedly ordered journalists to leave Fnideq immediately without explanation.
Migrants who enter irregularly will be deported to Morocco and barred from mainland Spain or legal status, except in severe vulnerability cases. Ceuta's mayor claims roughly 78,000 migrants arrived in the exclave by sea in a matter of hours, with 100 of them dying.
Accusations have mounted that Morocco deliberately allowed the crossings amid diplomatic friction with Madrid. Rabat reportedly employed a similar tactic in 2021, channeling 8,000 people into Ceuta during a dispute over sovereignty in Western Sahara.
Social media claims suggest a second mass crossing attempt could take place this weekend.