Morocco Beefs up Security at Ceuta and Melilla Borders After Online Calls for New Crossings
Authorities reinforced the border after online calls for another mass crossing, following a July surge that brought about 49,000 people into Ceuta in 24 hours.
- Morocco placed security forces on high alert in the Fnideq-Ceuta border zone on Wednesday after social-media calls urged a renewed mass crossing into the Spanish enclave.
- A Spanish Supreme Court ruling in late June limited summary returns of migrants arriving by sea, which officials say smugglers exploited during the late-July surge that brought roughly 49,000 people into Ceuta in about 24 hours.
- Reuters reported 72 deaths on the Spanish side and 11 on the Moroccan side, though other outlets placed fatalities at 18 to 19. The corridor sustains an annual smuggling-market turnover of 6 to 8 billion Moroccan dirhams.
- Madrid deployed military and police reinforcements to Ceuta while the European Union offered support through Frontex. Officials vowed to dismantle human-trafficking networks they claim exploited online rumours to mobilize people.
- Any crisis at the enclaves tests the durability of three decades of strategic rapprochement between Morocco and Spain. The EU-Spain-Morocco triangle remains only as stable as the political bargains underpinning it.
79 Articles
79 Articles
There are many skeptical, cautious, and other messages that even aim to deter young Moroccans from trying to get back to Ceuta. This Saturday, August 15th, circulates as a date for new investment, and many groups continue to encourage people to try the dangerous crossing. The Spanish Civil Guard has already published a warning: "Don't be fooled. You will be returned."
In social networks, there is an increase in evidence of a new migrant storm on Ceuta. Several reports warn of August 15. However, the date could also be a diversion.
Spain and Morocco were preparing for a new massive breakthrough across the border of Ceuta on 15 August, and the situation was complicated by the combination of social networks, criminal and political interests and external information exploitation.
Rabat shows more than 20,000 effects, but the big question is how he'll act if there's a new massive entry intent.
It has put in place controls in which vehicles and people on foot are checked to the autonomous cities.
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