Moroccan Government Responds to Surge of Migrants
The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior has officially acknowledged the existence of a misleading online campaign that has been encouraging individuals to attempt to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. This announcement follows an extraordinary influx of over 50,000 migrants who crossed into Ceuta by both land and sea last Thursday. According to Spanish authorities, more than 48,000 of those migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours, with additional returns occurring over the subsequent weekend.
In a statement made on Sunday evening, Ministry Spokesperson Rachid Khalfi clarified that the unprecedented border crossings were not driven by temporary or spontaneous circumstances. Instead, they resulted from a complex interplay of multiple factors, including the extensive misuse of digital platforms, the spread of disinformation, the involvement of human trafficking networks, and misinterpretations of legal and administrative information. Khalfi emphasized that these elements were strategically employed to create a misleading narrative suggesting that reaching European territory was feasible and devoid of legal repercussions, leading many to believe that the border was open for crossing.
He further confirmed that the Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated judicial investigations to explore the various circumstances surrounding these events, with the objective of identifying those responsible and determining the appropriate legal consequences, in accordance with the law.
Investigating the Disinformation Campaign
José María Gil Garre, Co-Director of the International Security Observatory, released a comprehensive 70-page report detailing the disinformation campaign that incited the recent surge towards Ceuta. According to Gil, this campaign emerged at the beginning of July across various social media platforms, originating from profiles based in Algeria, Tunisia, France, and even the United States. His report meticulously outlines a chronological progression of events leading to this coordinated incursion.
The initial phase of the campaign commenced on July 8, 2026, coinciding with a ruling from the Spanish Supreme Court regarding the repatriation of migrants intercepted at sea bound for Ceuta and Melilla. Following this ruling, simplified and contextually decontextualized interpretations proliferated, misleadingly suggesting that it guaranteed migrants permanent residency in Spanish territory. Between July 8 and July 15, this misleading narrative gained momentum across social media and messaging platforms, with an uptick in posts echoing similar sentiments, often accompanied by audiovisual content aimed at reinforcing the illusion of an immediate opportunity to access Spanish territory.
By mid-July, Gil observed the initial signs of a transition from narrative dissemination to operational mobilization, as individuals began gathering in the Fnideq (Castillejos) region from various Moroccan cities. Activity in existing Facebook groups and messaging channels intensified, facilitating exchanges of practical information regarding routes and travel conditions. Around July 25, a notable shift occurred, with maps illustrating swimming routes from the Moroccan coast to Ceuta and Melilla being shared, along with specific details about distances, departure points, and tips for successful crossings.
The digital campaign reached its peak intensity between July 29 and 30, as the frequency of posts surged and detailed instructions concerning schedules, meeting points, and recommended gear began circulating widely. On the night of July 30-31, the most significant operational event unfolded, marked by a mass attempt to enter Spanish territory through the Ceuta area. Although the exact number of distributed messages is difficult to ascertain without access to internal platform data, the evidence suggests that the digital campaign may have generated between one and five million impressions, utilizing communities that collectively exceeded 250,000 members.
Overall, the investigation revealed that the digital landscape played a crucial role in disseminating narratives, sharing information, and coordinating physical movements, underscoring the powerful influence of social media in mobilizing real-world actions.
As reported by jpost.com.
