Moroccan authorities said they are working to prevent a new wave of migrants from reaching the Spanish-administered city of Ceuta, following a disinformation campaign on social media calling for collective border crossings.
On August 13, Morocco's Interior Ministry reported that it had strengthened security along the borders with both Ceuta and Melilla. Authorities also said they would initiate legal proceedings against individuals who spread online posts encouraging illegal migration.
According to the Interior Ministry, in recent days, officials detected anonymous posts and messages on social media urging collective crossings into Ceuta. These posts claimed that the border crossing between the Moroccan town of Fnideq and Ceuta would open on August 15, a Spanish national holiday.
Rachid El Khalfi, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, stated that all necessary measures have been deployed to counter any attempts at illegal border crossings and to detain those intending to participate. A group of suspects has been summoned for investigation.
In late July, approximately 72,000 people from Morocco illegally crossed into Ceuta, mostly by sea, over a span of several days. The majority of those who crossed were returned by Moroccan and Spanish security forces. However, according to local authorities in Ceuta, about 2,000 people remain in the area, with around 1,000 being minors who cannot be deported under Spanish law.
Morocco's Interior Ministry has urged Spanish authorities to expedite the repatriation of these minors. In the earlier crisis, Morocco reported finding the bodies of 11 people, while Spain reported at least 80 deaths. The Moroccan Human Rights Association estimates the death toll to be at least 141.
