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Morocco detains 109 irregular migrants and 2 citizens after Ceuta crossing attempt
A mass crossing attempt from Morocco’s Fnideq to Ceuta, Spain’s North African city, was blocked, and 109 irregular migrants and two Moroccan citizens were detained. After the attempt on August 15, security forces intensified measures in the area using unmanned aerial vehicles, intervention vehicles and water-cannon vehicles.
Hundreds of irregular migrants attempting to enter Ceuta, Spain’s North African city, through Morocco were stopped by security forces in the city of Fnideq. The operation resulted in the detention of 109 migrants from African countries and two Moroccan citizens.
The Fnideq prefecture announced that security forces had been deployed in large numbers around Ceuta and Melilla and that the situation in the area was under control.
Surveillance and intervention vehicles used
Security forces mobilized their personnel and logistical capacity to prevent mass crossings. Operations used unmanned aerial vehicles for remote surveillance, as well as intervention vehicles and water-cannon vehicles to prevent direct contact with migrants.
Morocco has increased its security presence in Fnideq in recent days and intensified searches and other security measures. Intelligence efforts to identify people issuing digital calls encouraging mass migration are continuing, while operations to prevent crossings and detain those involved in organizing them are also expected to continue.
Social media messages identified ahead of August 15
The crossing attempt on August 15 followed the Moroccan Interior Ministry’s announcement that calls for mass and illegal crossings into Ceuta and Melilla had been issued.
Moroccan Interior Ministry spokesman Rachid al-Khalefi said on August 12 that posts and messages of unknown origin had been identified on some social media platforms encouraging mass and illegal crossings into Ceuta and Melilla on August 15.
Crossing pressure around Ceuta continues
In a statement issued a week earlier, the Ceuta administration said that more than 69,000 people had been returned to Morocco following the mass crossing attempt. The statement also said that between 3,000 and 5,000 irregular migrants were in the city.
On July 30, security forces intervened against more than 800 irregular migrants who attempted to reach Ceuta by swimming from Morocco’s Fnideq coast. Following an increase in irregular crossing attempts, the Spanish government also decided to deploy armed forces to the area to ensure security.
The number of irregular migrants who died while attempting to cross from Morocco into Spain was most recently reported as 88.
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