Hundreds of migrants attempted to storm the border of the Spanish territory of Ceuta in what was described as a second planned invasion, but were intercepted by riot police. The incident occurred on the northern tip of the African continent.
Moroccan media reported that at least 300 people were arrested, comprising 46 Moroccans and the remainder from sub-Saharan Africa. Spanish news agency EFE indicated that police used tear gas to disperse groups of migrants gathered on hills approximately 1.9 miles from the border. Hundreds of officers, some in riot gear, were later seen returning from the hills outside Fnideq, a Moroccan town near Ceuta.
This event follows a large influx of migrants on July 30, when an estimated 72,000 people entered Ceuta, with 145 reportedly dying in the process. In the weeks leading up to the August 15 attempt, social media messages circulated calling for a new mass crossing. One message posted to an online forum stated, "The Ceuta border will be open on the 15th [of August], a public holiday in Spain." Migrants were also urged to cross into Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city on Africa's northern coast. Ceuta and Melilla represent the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
Moroccan authorities had stated they were monitoring "the circulation of social media posts and messages of unknown origin" that called for a mass crossing on August 15, warning that organizers and participants would be prosecuted. Local media reported strengthened security measures near both Ceuta and Melilla, including police vans with wire shields and road checkpoints. Authorities also reportedly prevented some groups from traveling to northern Morocco by train or bus in cities such as Casablanca and Fez.
In response to the earlier crisis, Spain deployed more than 500 additional police officers to Ceuta, bringing the total to over 1,600. The Spanish Interior Ministry stated that these reinforcements would remain as long as necessary to restore normality and prevent recurrence of the July 30 events. Approximately 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, according to the Interior Minister. He also stated that migrants entering irregularly would not be allowed to stay, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare cases of extreme vulnerability. Those without a right to remain were to be returned to Morocco.
Spain began installing a maritime barrier off the coast of Ceuta on August 1, following the July 30 influx. The earlier crisis also led to diplomatic friction within the European Union, with Italy temporarily suspending Schengen arrangements with Spain and introducing checks on travelers arriving from the country. Spanish authorities have been processing migrants remaining in Ceuta for potential returns to Morocco, housing them in temporary facilities while identification and processing procedures take place. The goal is to return those without a right to remain within 72 hours of their location. Allegations of rape involving several young migrant girls under the age of 14 after arriving in Ceuta have also emerged, with judicial sources indicating that some alleged assaults were prevented by local residents' intervention, although some residents are reportedly among the accused.