Over 100 arrested in Morocco over fresh Ceuta migrant crossing attempt

Moroccan authorities arrested at least 111 people on Saturday after a group attempted to reach Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, following calls on social media for another mass border crossing.The arrests came about two weeks after a large influx of migrants reached Ceuta from Morocco, prompting Spain to reinforce security around the enclave.According to a source in Morocco's interior ministry cited by Sky News, 109 of those arrested were from sub-Saharan Africa and two were Moroccan nationals. They were detained in and around Fnideq, the Moroccan city located across the border from Ceuta.Moroccan authorities had been monitoring social media posts calling for another mass crossing on August 15 and had warned that organisers and participants could face prosecution.Spanish news agency EFE reported that Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse people gathered on hills roughly two miles from the border. Images from the area showed large numbers of Moroccan security personnel, including officers in riot gear, escorting migrants away.Spain had significantly increased its security presence in Ceuta ahead of the expected attempt. More than 500 additional police officers and soldiers were deployed, bringing the number of security personnel in the enclave to more than 1,600, according to Sky News.A barrier was also installed in the sea to discourage migrants from attempting to reach the territory by swimming.The latest attempt follows the mass crossing on July 30, when more than 72,000 people flooded into the border area. Most of those who entered Ceuta subsequently returned to Morocco, Spanish authorities said.Spanish interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said around 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta and would be returned to Morocco, except in cases involving extreme vulnerability. Many of those still there have been living in makeshift shelters along the beach.The earlier mass crossing also triggered political tensions over migration and border controls in Europe, including a dispute involving Spain and Italy. Italy temporarily suspended its open-border Schengen arrangement with Spain, reintroducing checks on air and sea travel until at least August 15. Spain, in turn, introduced passport, nationality and visa checks for passengers and visitors arriving from Italy until September 7.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.