Morocco Arrests Scores of Migrants Attempting Ceuta Border Entry

Moroccan authorities have apprehended dozens of migrants…

Moroccan authorities have apprehended dozens of migrants who were attempting to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, following heightened security measures prompted by online calls for another large-scale crossing this weekend.

According to official statements released on Saturday, the arrests occurred over the past 48 hours as groups of migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan African countries, tried to breach the heavily fortified border fences or swim along the coastal route. Local police and gendarmerie forces were deployed in increased numbers after social media posts urged a repeat of the mass incursion seen earlier this year.

The operation, which involved coordinated patrols by land and sea, successfully intercepted the migrants before they could reach Spanish territory. No injuries were reported among the security personnel or the migrants, though several individuals were treated for minor cuts and exhaustion at the scene.

This crackdown comes amid persistent migratory pressure …

This crackdown comes amid persistent migratory pressure on the two Spanish enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, which share the only land borders between Africa and Europe. In May, thousands of people swam or walked into Ceuta when Moroccan border guards briefly lost control, triggering a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat.

Since then, both countries have pledged closer cooperation on border management, and Moroccan authorities have intensified their interception efforts. Human rights groups, however, have repeatedly criticized the use of force and the lack of legal pathways for asylum seekers.

A Moroccan interior ministry source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the latest detentions were part of a “preventive strategy” to deter future attempts. The individuals apprehended have been transferred to holding facilities in the northern region for processing, with many expected to face deportation to their countries of origin.

The situation remains tense, with local residents in

The situation remains tense, with local residents in Ceuta reporting increased police presence along the perimeter. Spanish authorities have also reinforced their own border patrols, though no unauthorized entries have been confirmed in connection with this weekend’s attempted crossings.