Moroccan authorities arrested 67 individuals and conducted several raids over the last week as calls for a mass migration attempt on Saturday from Morocco into the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla spread on social media.
The calls for a mass border crossing originated on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Videos circulating online depict past gatherings near the borders and encourage young people to attempt the crossing.
“Peace be with you, dear brothers. I am leaving for Fnideq from Marrakech,” said one of the members of a WhatsApp group.
On Facebook, one user wrote, “Who wants to join us on Saturday?” Another user responded, “May God make it easier for everyone to leave this country.”
In Tetouan, authorities detained seven individuals, ages 16 to 31, including a minor. They were accused of spreading misinformation and promoting illegal immigration through digital content on social media.
One of those detained was a 20-year-old man who appeared in a video encouraging others to join a mass crossing attempt into Ceuta on September 15.
Moroccan authorities conducted raids in Tangiers and Tetouan between September 9 and 11, resulting in the arrest of 60 individuals suspected of spreading misinformation and inciting illegal migration.
Of these, 13 were identified through technical investigations and arrested in cities like Casablanca, Tetouan, Larache, Ouazzan, Rabat, Oujda, Fez, and Mohammedia. Additionally, 47 suspects were apprehended in Tangier upon their arrival by train or bus.
The arrests were made based on data provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance.
Another 39 individuals, all of Algerian and Tunisian origin, who had been planning to join the migration attempt, were deported by Moroccan authorities for being illegally present in Morocco.
Over the past four days, the Moroccan authorities have deported hundreds of minors and would-be migrants who were planning to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
On Saturday, nearly 600 individuals were bussed to various cities across Morocco to prevent them from making the dangerous journey.
This follows the deportation of approximately 2,400 others in the preceding days, all in response to a surge in online calls for migration.
To deter young people and minors from attempting the dangerous journey, authorities relocated those apprehended in Fnideq to distant cities like Beni Mellal, Ben Guerir, and Khenifra.
These mass migration rumors have sparked high alert on both sides of the border, with Moroccan security forces cracking down on those suspected and Spanish authorities amping up security measures.
Security forces have deployed along the borders, erecting fences and increasing patrols to deter any large-scale attempts.
Spain has also taken measures to bolster security at the enclaves. Law enforcement personnel have been reinforced in the border areas, particularly near the Fnideq crossing closest to Ceuta.
Up to 7,000 Moroccan police officers are reported to be deployed between Tangiers and Fnideq to maintain control.
1,622 migrant arrived to Ceuta from January to mid-August compared with just 620 in the same period last year, according to statistics released by the Spanish interior ministry.
The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior said that its agents prevented 14,648 migrants from entering Ceuta and Melilla in August.
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