Morocco intercepts hundreds of migrants near Ceuta as Spain and Rabat tighten border security

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10 days · 6 summary articles
Moroccan security forces intercepted hundreds of migrants attempting to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on Saturday, as both Morocco and Spain reinforced border defenses following online calls for mass crossings.
Moroccan authorities said they stopped 148 to 294 migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa, near the border town of Fnideq, according to reports by Spanish media and Morocco’s state news agency EFE. At least 61 people were arrested on suspicion of inciting irregular migration through social media, Morocco’s Interior Ministry stated El Mundo. Authorities used tear gas and batons to disperse groups gathering near the border, with helicopters and patrol boats deployed to monitor the area La Vanguardia.
Spain bolstered its presence in Ceuta with 880 National Police officers—270 more than at the end of July—supported by 2,000 soldiers and 700 Guardia Civil agents ORF. Morocco erected additional razor-wire barriers in Fnideq, stationed water cannons at the border, and set up checkpoints on access roads Digi24. The Royal Moroccan Navy activated six semi-rigid boats to patrol the coast, while drones and rapid-response units monitored land approaches El Diario.
The heightened security followed social media calls for a repeat of the late July surge, when an estimated 80,000 migrants entered Ceuta, most of whom later returned to Morocco ORF. Humanitarian groups reported at least 141 deaths during that period El Diario. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the July figure during a visit to Ceuta this week El Diario.
Despite the online agitation, the border remained relatively calm by midday Saturday, with no large-scale breaches reported El Mundo. Moroccan authorities expelled Spanish journalists from the border area in Fnideq, threatening to revoke their accreditation and equipment Aktuality. Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska previously called the July incident an isolated case and said it would not recur Digi24.
Morocco also announced plans to prosecute those spreading false claims about border openings, which had fueled the recent gatherings France 24. A new 4-meter-high metal barrier was installed near the border this week to prevent crowds from approaching the crossing El Diario.
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