Moroccan authorities say they have stepped up security along the country’s borders with the Spanish-administered enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla to prevent a possible new surge of irregular migration.
The Ministry of Interior said Wednesday that security measures had been strengthened following the spread of social media posts calling for mass attempts to cross into Ceuta.
Authorities said the latest online campaign claims the border between the Moroccan town of Fnideq and Ceuta will be opened on August 15, a public holiday in Spain. Officials described the messages as false information designed to encourage illegal crossings.
Moroccan Interior Ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi said authorities had taken “all the necessary measures” to prevent illegal crossings and intercept anyone attempting to participate. Several people suspected of involvement in the campaign have also been summoned for questioning.
The latest warnings come after a major migration crisis in late July, when about 72,000 people reportedly entered Ceuta irregularly, with most arriving by sea over several days.
Morocco has since taken action against people accused of facilitating the crossings. On August 7, seven Moroccan taxi drivers were sentenced to up to six months in prison and fined about $1,070 each for transporting people towards the border. The national taxi union criticised the sentences as harsh and unexpected.
Most of those who crossed into Ceuta have since been returned to Morocco by Moroccan and Spanish authorities. However, around 2,000 people reportedly remain in Ceuta, including approximately 1,000 minors who cannot be deported under Spanish law.
Morocco has urged Spain to accelerate the return of the children.
The migration crisis also resulted in deaths. Moroccan authorities reported recovering the bodies of 11 people, while Spanish authorities said at least 80 people died. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights put the estimated death toll at at least 141.
Moroccan authorities are now working to prevent another large-scale attempt to enter Ceuta amid continued calls circulating on social media.
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