In a significant move to curb illegal immigration, Moroccan authorities have apprehended a group of individuals suspected of inciting new attempts to illegally cross into Spain's exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The Moroccan Ministry of Interior has reported that calls for mass crossings on August 15 are circulating on social media platforms. Over the past few days, anonymous posts and messages inciting collective illegal entry attempts into these territories have been monitored, with the ministry labeling these calls as dangerous and urging the public to refrain from following such 'suspicious and misleading' directives. According to Moroccan law, these acts of incitement are subject to prosecution.
The ministry has assured that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent illegal border crossings, and legal action will be initiated against individuals disseminating these calls online. However, details regarding the exact number of arrests or the timing of these apprehensions have not been disclosed.
Furthermore, the ministry emphasized that combating irregular migration and human trafficking networks necessitates closer collaboration between the involved countries. In this regard, Morocco has urged Spain to expedite the procedures for the repatriation of unaccompanied Moroccan minors currently residing in Ceuta back to their families in Morocco. The ministry stressed the importance of safeguarding the welfare of these children while calling for the swift removal of administrative and legal barriers. It reiterated its demand for the implementation of a mechanism that allows for immediate repatriations, citing previous experiences that demonstrate its effectiveness in tackling irregular migration and supporting on-ground operations.
In late July, a surge of migrants attempted to enter Ceuta, with estimates from the Spanish government indicating that approximately 80,000 individuals reached the exclave. Morocco reported about 40,000 arrivals. Tragically, 83 individuals lost their lives during this crisis, igniting a debate over the protection of the EU's external borders and Spain's responsibilities in this regard.
As reported by n-tv.de.
