Moroccan authorities have reported that their security forces blocked the passage of around 3,000 young people who were attempting to enter Ceuta on Sunday. Most of the migrants were Moroccan, and despite multiple attempts to breach the perimeter fence of the Spanish autonomous city, none were successful over the weekend. Government spokesperson Mustafa Baitas stated after the weekly cabinet meeting that many young people had been incited by unknown individuals to enter Ceuta illegally through social media. He also mentioned that 152 people have already been arrested in the fight against mobilizing youth for irregular immigration. Baitas expressed relief that no deaths had occurred among the migrants, although a young Moroccan man was found drowned on a beach in the neighboring town of Fnideq.
Baitas also praised the professionalism of the Moroccan security forces, emphasizing that they had acted with full respect for legal regulations. The Moroccan Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation on Tuesday regarding images circulating on social media showing dozens of semi-naked young people allegedly detained during attempts to jump the Ceuta fence. A statement from the General Prosecutor of the Court of Appeals in Tetouan clarified that the investigation aims to determine the veracity of the facts and the background of the publication of the photographs, which depict youths seated on the ground in swimwear, crouched next to police vehicles of the Auxiliary Forces, or against a cement wall. Legal action will be taken as necessary once the National Brigade of the Judicial Police completes its inquiries.
Following the incidents at the border, the Tarajal border crossing between Morocco and Spain in Ceuta resumed normal operations at midnight on Monday. Most of the young people who had been in the area were intercepted by Moroccan police forces and evacuated by buses with windows covered with cardboard to remote areas of the country. The situation at the border has calmed down, allowing for the resumption of regular border crossing activities. The closure and subsequent reopening of the Tarajal border crossing highlighted the significant challenges posed by irregular migration and attempted illegal entry into Ceuta.
The events that unfolded at the border between Morocco and Ceuta underscore the complex issues and tensions surrounding migration, border security, and cross-border relations. The use of social media to incite and mobilize young people for irregular immigration raises concerns about the impact of digital communication on migration patterns and border management. The efforts of Moroccan security forces to prevent unauthorized crossings and maintain law and order demonstrate the significant challenges and responsibilities they face in safeguarding borders and ensuring the safety and security of all individuals involved. The ongoing investigations into the incidents at the border and the monitoring of social media activities reflect the importance of addressing the root causes of migration and preventing further incidents of irregular immigration.
