Spain and Morocco have reinforced security measures on both sides of the border of Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave, following renewed calls on social media for migrants to attempt a mass crossing. Soldiers were observed patrolling commercial and government buildings in Ceuta, while an elevated police presence was visible on the city's main avenues.
Moroccan security forces, dressed in tactical gear, patrolled beaches in Fnideq, a key departure point for migrants during a large-scale migration event on July 30. During that incident, over 70,000 people reportedly entered Ceuta from Morocco. The heightened security comes after anonymous messages circulated on social media, encouraging collective and illegal crossings into both Ceuta and Spain's other enclave, Melilla, on Saturday.
Morocco's Ministry of the Interior stated that it had detected and was addressing these inciting messages, characterizing them as criminalized acts that carry significant risks to public safety and aim to instrumentalize migration issues. The ministry also reported arresting individuals involved in disseminating these statements. Moroccan authorities have called on Spain to continue its efforts in repatriating Moroccan migrants remaining in Ceuta.
According to statements from Spanish and Ceuta officials, the majority of the over 72,000 migrants who crossed during the July event have since returned to Morocco. Approximately 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, with Spanish officials processing asylum claims and rejecting the majority of them. Spain has also deployed floating barriers in waters near the enclave where migrants previously swam across.
At least 96 deaths were recorded during the July mass migration event.