Joint Operation to Counter Social Media Incitement
Recently, numerous inflammatory posts appeared on social media platforms, calling for people to gather on August 15 in the mountains of Castillejos, Morocco, with the intent to illegally cross the border into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta. To prevent a repeat of the large-scale violent border crossing incident from late July, Spain and Morocco quickly activated an emergency response mechanism. This Saturday, both countries deployed thousands of security forces on both sides of the border, preparing to thwart any sudden storming attempts.
Tight Security Measures by Land and Sea
To cut off access routes for illegal migrants, Moroccan authorities implemented unprecedented high-level security measures. On land, starting early this week, Moroccan police urgently installed a 4-meter-high razor wire barrier on the main road connecting Castillejos to the Ceuta border crossing. Simultaneously, thousands of security personnel cordoned off the surrounding area, while Spain’s Guardia Civil provided support on the mountainous flank. By sea, the Moroccan Navy dispatched six semi-rigid speedboats to patrol the waters, ensuring the security of the Tarajal border crossing on both land and sea.
Nearly 300 Arrested as Situation Calms
Under tight surveillance and interception, the large-scale storming attempt was successfully neutralized. On August 15, Moroccan security forces took decisive action, arresting a total of 294 illegal migrants attempting to force their way into Ceuta from Castillejos. Of these, 248 were from sub-Saharan Africa and 46 were Moroccan nationals. Additionally, following leads, law enforcement authorities arrested at least 61 other individuals within Morocco suspected of planning and inciting the border rush online.
As a key land route between the European and African continents, Ceuta has long faced immense pressure from illegal immigration and smuggling. Following the strong joint intervention by the police forces of both countries, the heightened security deployment on both sides of the Spain-Morocco border remains in place, but the situation at the Tarajal crossing and its surrounding area is now fully under control and back to normal.
