Morocco Deploys Troops Near Ceuta to Stop Migrants

Moroccan authorities have intensified security measures along the borders of the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla to prevent a projected surge in irregular migration. The Ministry of Interior confirmed on Wednesday that it is actively countering a coordinated social media campaign that has encouraged mass crossing attempts scheduled for August 15.

The current security posture follows a significant migration event in late July, during which approximately 72,000 individuals entered Ceuta, primarily via maritime routes. Moroccan officials have initiated legal proceedings against individuals suspected of disseminating disinformation and inciting illegal border crossings. Additionally, authorities have begun investigations into local transport operators, recently sentencing seven taxi drivers to six months in prison for facilitating transit to the border zone.

While the majority of the July arrivals have been repatriated, approximately 2,000 individuals remain in the territory, including 1,000 minors protected from immediate deportation under Spanish law. Morocco has formally requested that Spanish authorities expedite the return process for these minors. The humanitarian impact of the recent crisis remains under scrutiny, with death toll estimates ranging from 11 to 141 fatalities as regional forces attempt to manage the ongoing border pressure.