Spain and Morocco have reinforced security around Ceuta amid fears of a fresh Ceuta migrant surge following online calls for a mass crossing into the Spanish enclave.
Thousands of Spanish and Moroccan security personnel were deployed along the border on Friday after social media messages urged migrants to attempt another mass entry on Saturday, August 15, a national holiday in Spain.
The heightened security comes after an unprecedented arrival of around 72,000 migrants in Ceuta last month. Authorities in Madrid and Rabat have been monitoring online activity and coordinating measures to prevent another large-scale crossing.
Moroccan Interior Ministry spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi said Morocco was taking all necessary measures to prevent illegal crossings. Local reports also indicated a significant increase in security forces around Fnideq, the Moroccan town near Ceuta.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska visited Ceuta on Thursday to inspect border infrastructure and a newly installed sea barrier designed to prevent people from reaching the city by swimming. Spain has also deployed additional security personnel, including 300 police officers and 2,000 soldiers.
Grande-Marlaska said the measures were intended to discourage irregular entry into Ceuta and Melilla. His comments came as concerns over migration policies intensified, with European officials closely watching developments around Spain’s North African territories.
The potential Ceuta migrant surge has also drawn attention from other European governments. Austria called on Spain to strengthen border protection, while Italy cited the possibility of a mid-August mass arrival when defending its decision to maintain border checks on travelers arriving from Spain.
