Morocco detained over 100 migrants who attempted to cross the border into the Spanish city of Ceuta amid heightened security following a major migrant influx two weeks ago.
Foreign news agencies cited Moroccan security sources revealing that Moroccan authorities intercepted several hundred migrants trying to cross into Ceuta, a Spanish exclave in North Africa, last Saturday.
Sources stated that 111 people were detained, while many others tried to head toward the border near the town of Fnideq, about 3 kilometers from the border. Most detainees were from the Saharan region of South Africa.
Reports indicated that Moroccan police, some in riot gear, used tear gas to disperse migrant groups gathered on nearby hills.
This event occurred about two weeks after approximately 78,000 migrants swam around the Moroccan border fence extending into the sea and entered Ceuta, sparking concerns over a migrant surge into Europe. More than 100 people died during that breach before most migrants were pushed back into Morocco.
Following this, both Moroccan and Spanish authorities increased security measures around Ceuta’s border amid social media reports signaling a second large-scale crossing attempt over the weekend.
Moroccan authorities said they are monitoring the "spread of unknown-source posts and messages on social media" that encourage a mass crossing on Saturday (15 Aug) and warned they will prosecute all organizers and participants.
Spain's El País newspaper reported that security at the breakwater entrance was "ten times stricter than before," in addition to metal fences and floating barriers installed earlier that week. On Saturday, Morocco also deployed military personnel, naval fast boats, and drones to the border.
Meanwhile, Spain deployed more than 1,500 security officers to patrol the Ceuta area.
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Source:bbc