Morocco arrests 111, boosts security at Ceuta border after fresh crossing calls

Morocco arrested 111 people near the border with Spain's Ceuta on Saturday after social media posts urged a new mass crossing attempt, reports Times Now. Most of those arrested, 109, were sub-Saharan migrants; two were Moroccans. The detentions came as Moroccan police fired teargas to scatter crowds massed on hillsides near Fnideq, next to Ceuta. Spanish state broadcaster TVE and news agency EFE said Moroccan authorities ordered their reporters to leave the area without explanation.

The operation follows a surge in late July when more than 72,000 migrants swam or climbed into Ceuta, driven by economic hardship and false online rumours of an open border, The Hindu reports. At least 80 people died in that attempt. Nearly all have since been returned to Morocco, but the event caused political friction within the EU. Spain has built a maritime barrier and flown in over 500 extra police, raising its Ceuta security force past 1,600. Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska said roughly 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta and that most will eventually be returned to Morocco.

Moroccan authorities had warned earlier in the week they were monitoring anonymous social media calls for a crossing on August 15 and would prosecute organisers. The Interior Ministry said it had taken all necessary measures and was investigating a group of people suspected of incitement. Spain's Civil Guard insisted the border remains closed. Officials on both sides say any new attempt will be met with force.