Moroccan Police Detain Over 100 Migrants Attempting Mass Crossing Into Spanish Enclave of Ceuta

Moroccan law enforcement has detained upwards of one hundred individuals attempting to breach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Online footage emerged on Saturday depicting large groups, predominantly from sub-Saharan Africa, marching toward the border.

This latest border rush follows a major incident weeks prior where more than 70,000 individuals crossed into the autonomous city located on Africa's northern coast, resulting in numerous fatalities. Authorities indicate the movement was fueled by a recent social media disinformation campaign urging crowds to converge on the area.

Earlier in the week, Moroccan officials stated they were actively working to thwart such crossing attempts. According to a Reuters source within Morocco’s Ministry of Interior, hundreds of police officers were deployed to manage the crowds, culminating in at least 111 arrests utilizing tear gas for crowd dispersal.

Spanish media outlet ABC reported that hundreds journeyed toward the enclave—which Morocco does not recognize as Spanish territory—traversing through the mountains via the coastal town of Fnideq in northern Morocco to bypass security checkpoints.

Local news publication Le360 reported that Saturday afternoon figures reached as high as 294 arrests, comprising 46 Moroccan nationals and others from sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, Jaime de los Santos, a Spanish lawmaker and deputy secretary of education for the conservative People’s Party (PP), criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for his handling of the crisis that began on July 30.

Prime Minister Sanchez has been vacationing at the Royal Residence of La Mareta in Lanzarote. De los Santos issued a statement criticizing the prime minister's absence and lack of response to the ongoing situation.

Statistical records show approximately 72,000 people entered Ceuta during late July, with at least 96 fatalities recorded during the crossing attempts. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported on Thursday that roughly 5,000 migrants continue to reside in Ceuta.