Moroccan Authorities Intercept Large Group of Migrants Near Ceuta

In a significant operation on Saturday, Moroccan security forces halted an attempted mass crossing of migrants aiming to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The interception occurred in the mountainous outskirts of Fnideq, where approximately 148 individuals, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa, were apprehended.

Among those detained, 128 were identified as sub-Saharan migrants, while 20 held Moroccan nationality. Many of the migrants carried tools such as picks, believed to be intended for scaling the border fence.

The border crossing into Melilla experienced an unusual calm, with significantly reduced traffic, though police presence remained strong. The mass attempts began around 6 AM, prompting a swift response from Moroccan authorities, who deployed dogs and established extensive checkpoints on major access roads from Tétouan and Tangier.

Reports indicate that the call to cross the border had been circulating on social media for weeks, under hashtags like "15/08" and "al-hajma". A 17-year-old migrant shared her experience of navigating multiple police checkpoints to reach Fnideq from Tétouan.

In recent days, Moroccan authorities have intensified preventive operations, resulting in the arrest of 61 individuals suspected of promoting irregular migration through social media.

Source: www.clarin.com