Morocco stops dozens of migrants from breaching Spanish enclave of Ceuta

Moroccan authorities stopped dozens of migrants from breaching the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Sunday after a mass migration attempt was organized on social media, Reuters reports. 

Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's enclaves on Morocco's coast, are the EU's only land borders with Africa. They frequently experience waves of migrants trying to reach Europe.

During the recent attempt, migrants reportedly gathered on a hill in Fnideq and threw stones at security forces. 

Authorities arrested 60 people last week for allegedly spreading false information and inciting others to join the crossing through social media. 

Moroccan forces have heavily deployed since Friday, with new checkpoints on roads leading north, according to local activists.

Many of the migrants, mostly Moroccan youth and some from sub-Saharan Africa, try to avoid authorities by hiding in forests. Security forces also patrol the beaches to stop migrants from swimming to Ceuta. Morocco’s cooperation with Spain on migration has strengthened since 2022, preventing 45,015 illegal migration attempts this year.