Moroccan security forces foiled attempts by groups of migrants to cross irregularly into Ceuta and Melilla early Saturday, following an extensive security deployment around the two cities in anticipation of calls circulating on social media for mass crossings on Aug. 15.
Operations conducted in and around Fnideq during the early hours of Saturday resulted in the interception of 111 would-be irregular migrants, according to a security source.
Of those intercepted, 109 were nationals of sub-Saharan African countries, and two were Moroccan, the source said.
The intensive deployment of security forces prevented any collective crossings around both Ceuta and Melilla, with the security situation remaining normal and under control, according to the same source.
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The operation follows several days of heightened security in northern Morocco, particularly around Fnideq and the Bab Sebta crossing, after anonymous accounts and pages on social media circulated calls encouraging people to attempt coordinated crossings on Aug. 15.
Authorities had reinforced checkpoints, deployed patrols along the coastline and surrounding hills, and restricted access to areas near Bab Sebta to travelers with the necessary documents.
61 arrested over online calls for irregular migration
Security operations have also focused on the online networks behind the calls.
Monitoring conducted by national security services over recent days has led to the arrest of 61 people suspected of encouraging or promoting irregular migration through social media.
Authorities said digital monitoring will continue in an effort to identify others involved in encouraging collective migration attempts online.
The online investigations are being conducted alongside field operations aimed at preventing irregular crossings and identifying networks involved in organizing migrant smuggling.
Saturday’s operation marks the culmination of a security buildup around the Aug. 15 date promoted online. Authorities have maintained a substantial presence around Fnideq, Ceuta, and other sensitive points in northern Morocco, combining ground deployments with surveillance of coastal approaches and online activity.
