In a significant move, Morocco announced on Wednesday that it has strengthened its security measures along the border with Spain in response to renewed calls on social media for mass migration attempts into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. This announcement comes in the wake of growing concerns regarding another potential surge reminiscent of last month, when tens of thousands of migrants made their way to the border in a chaotic rush.
Spain's Civil Guard has assured that the border remains firmly closed, while Defense Minister Margarita Robles cautioned against any new attempts to breach the barrier into Spain's North African territories. Recent messages circulating in Moroccan social media communities have sparked fears of a new mass crossing scheduled for Saturday, although the origin of these messages remains uncertain.
In late July, a staggering number of approximately 72,000 migrants managed to swim or climb over the border infrastructure to gain access to Ceuta, driven by dire economic conditions and fueled by misleading rumors about an open border. While most have since returned to Morocco, the incident had far-reaching political implications across Europe. Official reports indicate that at least 80 individuals lost their lives during these attempts, although human rights organizations suggest the numbers could be higher.
Current calls for migration are also directing attention towards Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city located on the northern coast of Africa. Together, Ceuta and Melilla represent the European Union's only land borders with the African continent. In response to these developments, the Moroccan Interior Ministry confirmed that it has implemented all necessary precautions to prevent any new illegal crossings, emphasizing a commitment to continuous vigilance, particularly in areas adjacent to the Ceuta and Melilla crossings.
The Interior Ministry has not yet provided specific details regarding the number of security personnel deployed or the types of equipment being utilized. However, social media footage indicates that hundreds of police officers, equipped with riot gear, are stationed on the Moroccan side of the border, accompanied by water cannons and ambulances. Reports from local news outlet Hespress suggest that tear gas and stun grenade deployment equipment has also been brought to the border area.
A senior Moroccan diplomat disclosed that over 20,000 Moroccan security personnel are stationed along the Ceuta border daily, incurring substantial costs amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. This information was provided under the condition of anonymity, as the diplomat was not authorized to speak to the press. In addition, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest and ongoing investigation of a group suspected of inciting migration attempts, although further details were not disclosed.
During a visit to Ceuta, Minister Robles underscored the collective responsibility to address those orchestrating these migration movements, particularly through social media channels. She unequivocally stated that any aggression directed towards Ceuta or Melilla constitutes an affront to Spain as a whole. “This must be absolutely clear: what happened cannot happen again,” she asserted.
In a bid to deter potential migrants, Spain’s Civil Guard disseminated a message on social media, written in both French and Spanish, clarifying that the border with Spain is not open and will not be. They highlighted the presence of new containment barriers, stating, “If you cross them, you will be returned. Don’t let yourself be deceived.” Accompanying this message was an image of the containment barrier erected in Ceuta following the July 31 border incident.
As reported by washingtonpost.com.
