Morocco Arrests At Least 111 Over Attempted Illegal Border Crossing Into Ceuta

Moroccan police have arrested at least 111 people who attempted to cross illegally into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

According to Reuters on the 16th (local time), police arrested 2 Moroccans and 109 individuals from sub-Saharan Africa in and around Fnideq, south of Ceuta, the previous day.

The Moroccan online media outlet Le360 reported that Moroccan authorities blocked more than 350 people who tried to illegally enter Ceuta the previous day.

Among them, about 50 were Moroccan nationals, while the majority were reportedly from sub-Saharan Africa.

Le360 stated that the Moroccan government mobilized not only police and ground troops but also the navy and Royal Gendarmerie helicopters to prevent illegal border crossings.

Most of those attempting the illegal crossing were stopped before reaching the border fence, meaning that a mass border breakthrough by migrants toward Ceuta, similar to the one that occurred late last month, did not take place.

Earlier, the Moroccan government stated that online posts on social media and other platforms had spread, inciting certain groups to designate the 15th as a "border-crossing day" and encouraging a new collective illegal border attempt toward the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Consequently, 61 people were arrested on charges related to the incitement.

Authorities also deployed police heavily to border areas and tightened security, including checkpoints.

In cities such as Casablanca, Fez, and Kenitra, groups of migrants were prevented from boarding trains and buses heading toward northern Morocco.

Reuters reported that hundreds of police officers in riot gear were spotted on the hills outside Fnideq, which had been used as a maritime entry route during the mass crossings late last month.

In Ceuta as well, Spanish soldiers and police stepped up patrols and security.

Following the massive illegal migrant crossings late last month, more than 500 additional police officers were deployed from mainland Spain to Ceuta, bringing the total number of police there to over 1,600, according to reports.

Additionally, 2,000 Spanish soldiers were deployed to Ceuta, and a floating barrier approximately 500 meters long was installed in the sea.

Previously, on the 30th of last month, Ceuta experienced an incident where more than 72,000 migrants illegally crossed the border in just a few hours.

Most were expelled or returned voluntarily, leaving only about 5,000 illegal migrants currently remaining in Ceuta, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior stated.
 

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.