Moroccan authorities have further reinforced security around Fnideq and the Bab Sebta border crossing, deploying land and maritime patrols as they seek to prevent a new mass crossing attempt promoted anonymously on social media for Aug. 15.
The heightened security operation comes as returns in the opposite direction continue. More than 4,000 migrants have left Ceuta in recent days, according to consolidated figures obtained by Le360 from reliable sources.
With just 24 hours remaining before the date promoted by anonymous social media pages for another coordinated mass crossing, local authorities and security forces are maintaining an exceptionally high level of vigilance around Bab Sebta and on the hills overlooking the city.
Checks have intensified on the ground. Private vehicles and taxis are being thoroughly inspected by security personnel stationed near the crossing, while access to the area from the eastern side of Fnideq is restricted to travelers able to provide supporting documents.
Uniformed and plainclothes officers are checking passports and ferry tickets for passengers traveling from Ceuta. Travelers’ identities are systematically verified before they are allowed to proceed toward the crossing.
A tight security cordon has also been established along the Fnideq coastline, covering the perimeter surrounding Bab Sebta from both the east and west.
Auxiliary Forces, national police and Royal Gendarmerie units have, meanwhile, been placed on heightened alert on the hills overlooking Ceuta as authorities seek to seal possible approaches and prevent attempted crossings by land or sea.
540 would-be migrants removed from Fnideq area
Inside Fnideq, police and local authorities are conducting extensive operations across several neighborhoods, particularly those closest to Ceuta.
Identity checks are focusing primarily on young people who do not live in northern Morocco, while mobile patrols are circulating throughout the city.
People suspected of preparing an irregular crossing are being intercepted, assembled and transported by bus back toward their regions of origin.
استنفار أمني بالفنيدق يجهض محاولات الهجرة السرية. Le360
The operations have continued for three consecutive days and have targeted both Moroccan would-be migrants arriving from other provinces and foreign nationals from sub-Saharan Africa, Arab countries and Asia.
Around 540 people suspected of intending to migrate irregularly have so far been removed from the Fnideq area.
Royal Navy joins maritime surveillance
The operation has also expanded offshore.
Beginning Friday afternoon, reinforced maritime surveillance was deployed along the Fnideq coast. Royal Gendarmerie patrols, supported by Royal Moroccan Navy speedboats, are conducting continuous operations during the day and at night.
Their objective is to detect and intercept anyone attempting to reach Ceuta by swimming along the coast.
The measures form part of an operation launched ahead of Aug. 15 following the circulation of online messages encouraging people to attempt a collective irregular crossing into Ceuta.
According to information gathered by Le360, the scale and early deployment of the Interior Ministry-led operation have already reduced pressure around the crossing and limited the impact of the calls circulating online.
