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Police Detain Migrants Near Fnideq
Moroccan police arrested at least 111 people on Saturday as they attempted to cross into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, amid heightened security on both sides of the border following social media calls for another mass migrant crossing .
A source in Morocco’s Interior Ministry told Reuters those detained included 109 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and two Moroccan citizens arrested in or around Fnideq, the Moroccan city opposite Ceuta.
Spanish news agency EFE reported that Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse groups of migrants gathered on hills about 3 km from the border. Morocco’s Interior Ministry also ordered journalists from EFE and Spanish state broadcaster TVE to leave Fnideq immediately .
Attempted Crossing Follows Deadly July Surge
The attempted crossing came two weeks after more than 72,000 migrants surged towards Ceuta, escalating tensions within the European Union and fuelling anti-immigration rhetoric . At least 96 people died while attempting to reach European soil during that crossing .
Spain has since installed a maritime barrier and deployed more than 500 additional police from mainland Spain, raising the total in Ceuta to more than 1,600 . Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the reinforcements would remain for as long as needed .
Migrants Warn Others Not to Cross
About 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, with many sheltering under makeshift bamboo shelters on the urban beach of El Trampolin . Grande-Marlaska said migrants who entered irregularly would not be allowed to stay in the enclave, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status, except in rare vulnerability cases .
Driss Sadik, a 22-year-old from Fez who swam for five hours to reach Ceuta, urged others not to follow his example: “Don’t cross now, my brothers. You’re only going to suffer” . Adil Jamil, 17, echoed the warning: “Those who enter aren’t going to benefit from anything” .
Morocco Steps Up Security
Authorities prevented several groups from boarding trains and buses to northern Morocco, while some migrants were bypassing security checkpoints by taking mountain routes towards Fnideq . Schools in Fnideq have been turned into accommodation for security forces deployed near the border .
