Moroccan security forces have arrested nearly 300 migrants attempting to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta by land and sea, according to Moroccan state television. The arrests came as authorities increased security along the border following calls on social media for another mass attempt to enter the Spanish territory. The latest operation highlights continuing migration pressure around Ceuta, a Spanish city located on Morocco’s northern coast. Moroccan state broadcaster Medi 1 TV reported that 294 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were arrested on Saturday while attempting to enter Ceuta. Authorities also arrested 61 Moroccan nationals who were accused of facilitating the migration attempts, according to the broadcaster.

The report did not provide further details about the identities of those arrested or specify what charges the alleged facilitators could face. The attempted crossings followed a surge in social media posts encouraging migrants to travel towards Ceuta. In response, Moroccan and Spanish authorities strengthened their security presence around the border and restricted movement towards the area. Ceuta, together with Spain’s other North African territory Melilla, has long been a focal point for migrants seeking to enter the European Union from Africa. The latest arrests come about two weeks after a major migration push towards Ceuta in which tens of thousands of people reportedly attempted to reach the Spanish territory.

The rush was described as one of the deadliest migration crises in the region in recent years. Official figures put the number of people who died on both sides of the border at at least 90, while human rights organisations reported higher estimates. The earlier mass movement was fuelled by a combination of economic hardship and misinformation, according to reports. Large numbers of people headed towards Ceuta after messages circulated online encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing. The scale of the movement overwhelmed parts of the border area and prompted Moroccan and Spanish authorities to deploy additional security personnel to prevent further crossings.

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The latest security operation suggests authorities remain concerned about another large-scale attempt. The presence of social media calls for migrants to travel towards Ceuta has increased pressure on Moroccan authorities to prevent people from reaching the border. Spanish authorities have also sought to strengthen controls around the territory, which is surrounded by Morocco except for its Mediterranean coastline. The Moroccan Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the latest arrests or the number of security personnel deployed around the border. The absence of official details means the full scale of the security operation and the circumstances surrounding the attempted crossings remain unclear.

Migration towards Ceuta has remained a sensitive issue for both Morocco and Spain because of the territory’s location at the edge of the European Union. Migrants attempting to reach the enclave have used different routes and methods, including crossing by land and attempting to reach the territory by sea. Authorities on both sides have repeatedly increased security measures during periods of heightened migration activity. The latest arrests come as officials remain on alert following the deadly events earlier this month. With further calls for mass crossings reportedly circulating online, Moroccan and Spanish authorities are expected to continue monitoring movement towards Ceuta closely. The situation also underscores the continuing risks faced by migrants attempting dangerous journeys in search of entry into Europe.

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