The Moroccan Ministry of Interior stated on Thursday that it has intensified security control in areas near border crossings amid fears of a new attempt at mass border crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The Spanish authorities, for their part, warned that the border remains closed and urged people not to respond to misleading information circulating on the internet. Messages published in Moroccan social media groups are calling for a new attempt to reach Ceuta on Saturday, although it remains unclear who is behind these calls.
These warnings come after dramatic events at the end of July, when about 72,000 migrants tried to reach Ceuta by swimming, bypassing border barriers, or climbing over the breakwater that separates the city from Morocco. This surge was partly caused by false internet rumors about the border opening. Almost all the migrants who managed to enter Ceuta at that time were later returned to Morocco, but this episode caused a political resonance in Spain and other European countries. According to official data, at least 80 people died during the border crossing attempts, while human rights organizations report a higher number of victims.
Security measures and warnings
According to the Ministry of Interior, Moroccan authorities also detained a group of individuals suspected of encouraging new border crossing attempts. It is noted that the detainees are being investigated for “incitement activities”, without providing additional details.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, who visited Ceuta on Wednesday, stated that authorities should focus on those who encourage migrants to attempt border crossings. She noted that “everyone must counteract those who organize these movements”, adding that any aggression against Ceuta or Melilla would be considered an aggression against Spain as a whole. “What happened must not be repeated,” Robles said.
The Spanish Civil Guard also published a direct warning to potential migrants on social media. The message in Spanish and French stated: “The border with Spain is not open and will not be open.” It also noted that new protective barriers have been installed, and those who cross them will be returned. “Do not let yourselves be deceived,” the message said, accompanied by a photograph of the barrier installed in Ceuta after the surge on 31 July.
Morocco prepares for new crossing attempts
It is reported that new messages on social media are also calling on potential migrants to try to reach Melilla — another autonomous Spanish city on the North African coast. Together, Ceuta and Melilla form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
The Moroccan Ministry of Interior stated that “all necessary measures have been taken to counter” any further attempts at illegal border crossings. It said that the authorities maintain “constant vigilance” around Ceuta and Melilla, although it did not provide details on the number of personnel or equipment involved. Videos circulating on social media show hundreds of Moroccan police in special gear near the border, as well as water cannons and ambulances. The Moroccan news outlet Hespress reported that equipment for using tear gas and stun grenades has also been moved to the border.
More than 20,000 Moroccan security personnel are deployed daily to secure the area around Ceuta, a senior Moroccan diplomat previously told Associated Press on condition of anonymity. According to the source, this operation costs hundreds of millions of dollars.
Source: RFI
