Moroccan authorities detain over 100 ahead of Ceuta border surge
Tensions mount along the North African coast following a social media-driven attempt to cross into the Spanish enclave, weeks after a deadly influx displaced thousands.
Moroccan police have arrested more than 100 individuals attempting to cross into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, reinforcing border security measures in the wake of a significant diplomatic crisis. The arrests occurred as large crowds, largely composed of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, advanced through the mountains towards the enclave from northern Morocco.
According to a source within Morocco’s Ministry of Interior, cited by Reuters, at least 111 people were detained near the border town of Fnideq. Local news outlet Le360 reported a higher figure of 294 arrests, noting that 46 of those detained were Moroccan nationals. Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds, who reportedly chose a mountainous route to bypass established security checkpoints.
The attempted crossing follows what authorities have described as a disinformation campaign on social media encouraging people to flock to Ceuta. This development comes just weeks after a surge in late July, when approximately 72,000 people entered the city, resulting in at least 96 deaths. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Thursday that approximately 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta following the initial influx.
In Spain, the crisis has sparked political friction. Jaime de los Santos, deputy secretary of education for the conservative People’s Party, accused Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of failing to address the situation while he was on holiday in Lanzarote. De los Santos claimed that Spain had been "invaded by more than 80,000 Moroccan citizens" and criticised the government for a lack of explanation or decisive action.
Ceuta, located on the north coast of Africa, is an autonomous city that Morocco does not recognise as Spanish territory. The ongoing tensions highlight the complex governance challenges surrounding the border region, with Moroccan authorities actively working to foil further attempts to cross into the enclave.
