2 weeks ago
Ceuta on edge: Spain, Morocco brace for new migrant incursion
Ceuta is a little piece of Spain that sits right next to Morocco in Africa.
Last month, a very large number of people — about 72,000 — came across the border into Ceuta all at once.
Now, messages on social media are telling people to try to cross again on August 15, which is a big holiday in Spain.
Spain and Morocco don't want that to happen, so they are working together to stop it.
Many police officers and soldiers have been sent to the border.
Spain also built a special barrier in the sea to stop people from swimming over.
Spain's interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, said people who try to enter this way will not be allowed to stay.
Some other countries in Europe, like Austria and Italy, are also worried.
They want Spain to make its borders even safer.
Both countries are watching the border very carefully to see what happens next.
Spanish and Moroccan authorities have deployed thousands of security personnel along the border of Ceuta ahead of a possible mass migrant crossing.
Social media posts, reported by Politico, have called for a large-scale incursion on Saturday, August 15, Spain's national holiday.
The security buildup follows an unprecedented influx of around 72,000 migrants into Ceuta last month.
Spain has sent an additional 300 police officers and about 2,000 soldiers and installed a new sea barrier to stop migrants from swimming from Morocco.
Austrian Minister Claudia Bauer and Italy's government, led by Giorgia Meloni, urged Spain to strengthen border protection in its African enclaves.
- Who
- Spanish and Moroccan authorities, including Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Moroccan Interior Ministry spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi, with European leaders Claudia Bauer of Austria and Giorgia Meloni's Italian government watching closely.
- What
- A large-scale security buildup to prevent a possible mass migrant crossing into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, prompted by social media calls for a new incursion.
- Where
- Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the North African coast, and the nearby Moroccan border town of Fnideq.
- When
- Ahead of Saturday, August 15, Spain's national holiday, and following an influx of around 72,000 migrants last month.
- Why
- Online social media posts urged a new mass crossing attempt after last month's unprecedented influx of migrants into Ceuta.
Spain says its measures are enough to dissuade a crossing
European critics demand stronger border protection
Adequacy of border security in Ceuta and Melilla
Spain says its measures are enough to dissuade a crossing
Spain deployed 300 extra police officers and about 2,000 soldiers, inspected border infrastructure including a new sea barrier, and Interior Minister Grande-Marlaska said the aim is to dissuade irregular entry, adding that no one who enters this way will remain in Ceuta, reach the Iberian Peninsula, or be given legal status.
European critics demand stronger border protection
Austrian Minister Claudia Bauer urged Spain to "immediately and significantly reinforce border protection in its African enclaves and ensure that this time it will hold," while Italy's government cited the possibility of a large-scale mid-August arrival as it defended keeping border checks on travelers from Spain.
Key facts
- Event
- Possible mass migrant crossing attempt at Ceuta
- Planned date
- Saturday, August 15, Spain's national holiday
- Migrants arrived last month
- Around 72,000
- Spanish reinforcements
- 300 additional police officers and about 2,000 soldiers
- New border measure
- Sea barrier to stop migrants swimming from the Moroccan coast
- Moroccan security buildup
- Increased presence around Fnideq, the border town opposite Ceuta
- Key officials
- Fernando Grande-Marlaska (Spain), Rachid El Khalfi (Morocco)
Quotes
Fernando Grande‑Marlaska
Spanish Interior Minister
“"None of them will remain in Ceuta, none of them will make it to the Iberian Peninsula, none of them will be given legal status"”
firstpost.com
“"We do this to dissuade anyone who aspires to enter Ceuta and Melilla irregularly"”
firstpost.com
Rachid El Khalfi
Moroccan Interior Ministry spokesperson
“"The country is taking all necessary measures to counter any attempt at illegal crossing"”
firstpost.com
Sources
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