Concerns over a potential new wave of migrants attempting to cross into the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta have not come to fruition, at least for now. Despite calls on social media for a repeat of the mass border crossings that occurred at the end of July, the situation at the border and within the exclave remained calm throughout the day. Authorities in Spain, alongside Morocco, had significantly increased security measures in anticipation of any such attempts.
According to a reporter from dpa who was present at the scene, the morning atmosphere at the border was one of absolute quiet. He described the city center as appearing almost idyllic, with little indication of the tensions that had been anticipated. Occasional sightings of police and military personnel patrolling the area were noted, but most of the activity seemed to be taking place in the outer districts, where groups of young migrants could be seen. Other Spanish media outlets, including the state broadcaster RTVE, echoed reports of a largely relaxed situation in the exclave.
Spanish Minister: Mass Influx Unlikely to Repeat
In a bid to prevent a repeat of the late July events, where estimates suggest as many as 80,000 migrants entered Ceuta, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reiterated that such a mass arrival was an "extraordinary" occurrence unlikely to happen again. Just days ago, Morocco's Interior Ministry announced the arrest of a group suspected of inciting further illegal attempts to enter the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Social media had seen calls for collective mass crossings set for August 15.
Witnesses reported a significant presence of Moroccan security forces around Ceuta and Melilla, who were proactive in preventing potential border crossings. Hundreds of migrants, many hailing from sub-Saharan countries, were intercepted near the border town of Fnideq, approximately 20 kilometers from Ceuta, and thwarted in their attempts to cross. The Interior Ministry in Rabat confirmed that on Saturday, 111 migrants without valid documents were apprehended.
Morocco had ramped up its security measures in recent days, erecting additional barbed wire and NATO wire barricades in Fnideq, according to RTVE. Patrol boats were deployed to monitor the coast, and water cannons were stationed at the border, alongside numerous checkpoints established on access roads.
Return to Normalcy Requires Time
Two weeks ago, the surge of migrants attempting to reach Ceuta was unprecedented. Particularly on July 30, tens of thousands of migrants attempted to swim to the exclave, resulting in numerous fatalities. The latest official reports from Madrid indicate that 83 bodies have been recovered from the sea, while NGOs estimate the death toll could exceed one hundred. Most of the newcomers returned to Morocco within hours or days, according to the Spanish government. Currently, approximately 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta. Minister Grande-Marlaska acknowledged that it will take some time before a complete return to normalcy is achieved.
As reported by faz.net.
