Morocco deports over 500 sub-Saharan, Moroccan migrants attempting to  cross into Ceuta

Around 400 migrants from sub-Saharan African countries and 140 Moroccan migrants, including 40 minors, were arrested over the weekend as part of ongoing efforts to prevent migration attempts toward the occupied city of Ceuta, according to well-informed Hespress AR sources.

The sub-Saharan migrants were detained by members of the Royal Gendarmerie, the Royal Armed Forces, and the Auxiliary Forces, before being transferred to various regions in eastern and southern Morocco.

Moroccan migrants were returned to their hometowns after trying to cross the fence, reportedly in response to calls spread on social media.

The sources noted that Royal Gendarmerie helicopters conducted aerial patrols over the forests between Tangier and Tetouan, identifying and intercepting groups of migrants before they could reach the border fence.

Authorities have also intensified operations in Tangier, Fnideq, and Tetouan to track and detain young people and minors arriving from across the country, hoping to join group crossings into the occupied city.

Most of the Moroccan youths and minors who were stopped come from cities like Beni Mellal, Khouribga, Errachidia, Tinghir, Casablanca, Rabat, Sale, and Kenitra.

They were all taken back to their hometowns by buses arranged for this purpose.

These measures come amid a surge in human trafficking activity in northern Morocco and growing calls on social media urging people to join mass border crossings.

In response, authorities have tightened security and reinforced preventive efforts to protect public safety and stability.

Hespress sources mentioned that security forces may face increasing pressure in the coming days as they work to prevent migrants from reaching the border fence with Ceuta.

They said that reports indicate continued social media calls for mass migration and storming the border fence with the occupied territories of Ceuta and Melilla this mid-October.