Morocco Detains Dozens at Ceuta Border Amid Escalating Migrant Crisis

Dozens of migrants were blocked by Moroccan authorities at the Ceuta border, where security had been stepped up in anticipation of a second mass crossing attempt.

More than 100 people were blocked trying to make their way to the border on the outskirts of the town of Fnideq, according to Moroccan security sources cited by Spanish media and the Reuters news agency.

Ceuta Border Tensions Escalate

Moroccan police – including some in riot gear – reportedly used tear gas to disperse groups of migrants gathered on nearby hills. The security sources said 111 people had been detained in or around Fnideq – known in Spanish as Castillejos – about 3km (1.8 miles) from the border, the majority of whom were from sub-Saharan Africa.

Moroccan officials have been detaining migrants at the Ceuta border, with the security sources citing reports of "circulation of social media posts and messages of unknown origin" calling for a mass crossing on Saturday. Moroccan authorities had dispatched army officers, navy speedboats and drones to the border on Saturday, it said.

Europe Divided Over Ceuta Crisis

Spain has also installed a metal fence and a floating barrier following last month’s influx. The crisis had calmed since breaking out in late July, but it has sparked tensions between EU nations which share open borders as well as criticism of the Spanish government. Italy suspended the 29-member Schengen arrangement of free movement with Spain and introduced border checks on arrivals from Spain.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his country had been afraid of a "risk of a new wave of arrivals in Ceuta". "We’re not waging any kind of ‘battle’ against Spain; we’re simply carefully controlling arrivals," he said. "Instead of worrying about us, Spain should worry about Morocco: that’s where the problems are coming from, certainly not from our controls."

Ceuta's Uncertain Future

Security at the breakwater entrance was "10 times stronger than the previous day", Spanish newspaper El País reported. Madrid meanwhile deployed more than 1,500 security officers to patrol the area. The Spanish government has urged Italy to drop its border controls – and introduced its own when Rome refused, citing the possibility of a new influx on 15 August.

Source: JOY