Moroccan security forces apprehended nearly 300 migrants on Saturday as they attempted to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea, according to Moroccan state television. Authorities also arrested 61 Moroccan nationals accused of facilitating these migration attempts.
The detentions occurred following a surge in social media activity that urged migrants to make their way to Ceuta. In response, both Moroccan and Spanish authorities intensified security measures and restricted movement toward the border area.
This latest attempt comes two weeks after a significant influx of migrants rushed toward Ceuta. That event, described as one of the deadliest migration crises in the region, resulted in at least 90 deaths on both sides of the border, according to official figures, though human rights groups reported higher numbers. These migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa, often travel to Morocco fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability, with the hope of reaching Europe and eventually mainland Spain for better economic prospects.
Thousands of migrants annually make their way to Morocco, frequently attempting to cross into Ceuta or the Spanish exclave of Melilla. A senior Moroccan diplomat previously stated that over 20,000 Moroccan security personnel are deployed daily along the border with Ceuta, incurring costs in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The interior ministry did not respond to requests for comment regarding the latest arrests or the number of security personnel deployed.