Key facts
- Moroccan police arrested 111 people attempting to enter Ceuta.
- The arrests followed social media calls for a mass crossing.
- Security was tightened on both sides of the border.
- Migrants were dispersed using teargas.
- Spanish authorities reinforced security in Ceuta.
- Migrants who entered irregularly will be returned to Morocco.
Moroccan police arrested 111 people attempting to enter Spain's north African territory of Ceuta on Saturday, amid tightened security on both sides of the border. The arrests followed social media posts calling for another mass crossing. Moroccan police used teargas to disperse groups of migrants gathered on hills about 3km from the border.
This incident occurred two weeks after more than 72,000 migrants surged into Ceuta, leading to tensions within the EU and prompting anti-immigration rhetoric. At least 96 people died attempting to reach European soil during that prior event.
In Ceuta, Spanish soldiers guarded supermarkets while police patrolled the main streets. Madrid has since installed a maritime barrier and deployed over 500 additional police officers. Spain's interior minister stated that migrants who entered irregularly would be returned to Morocco unless they were extremely vulnerable.
Morocco's interior ministry had warned it would prosecute organizers and participants of any mass crossing attempts, monitoring social media for such calls. Some migrants were reportedly bypassing security checkpoints by taking mountain routes.