[International] Moroccan Police Arrest 111 Migrants Attempting to Cross into Spanish Enclave of Ceuta

Moroccan police arrested at least 111 people on the 15th who were attempting to enter Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave. Both countries have strengthened border security measures after calls on social media for another large-scale migrant crossing. Two weeks ago, over 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta, causing tension within the European Union and fueling anti-immigrant discourse by far-right parties worldwide. At least 96 people died attempting to enter European territory. A Moroccan Interior Ministry source told Reuters that those arrested included 109 people from sub-Saharan Africa, and two Moroccan citizens were arrested near the Moroccan city of Fnideq, outside the Ceuta border. According to the Spanish EFE news agency, Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse migrants gathered on a hill about 3 kilometers from the border. Reuters later saw hundreds of police officers, some in riot gear and some in plain clothes, returning from the hill to Fnideq. EFE and Spanish national television (TVE) reported that the Moroccan Interior Ministry ordered journalists to leave Fnideq immediately without stating a reason. In Ceuta, Spanish soldiers guarded supermarkets, and police patrolled the main streets intensively. The city was much calmer compared to the days following the deadly crossing incident on July 30. Madrid established a maritime barrier after the incident and dispatched an additional 500 police officers from mainland Spain, bringing the total number of police stationed in Ceuta to over 1,600. The Spanish Interior Ministry stated that the reinforcement forces would remain deployed as needed. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on the 13th, "We will continue to deploy all necessary personnel to restore normal order as quickly as possible and prevent the events of July 30 from happening again." Grande-Marlaska said that about 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta. Reuters witnessed hundreds taking shelter under temporary bamboo sheds on El Trampolín beach to escape the heat. Grande-Marlaska stated that unless it involves a few cases of extremely vulnerable groups, migrants who enter illegally will not be allowed to remain in the enclave, travel to mainland Spain, or obtain legal status. Those without the right to reside will be repatriated to Morocco. (Editor: Liu Xianghua)