Ceuta surge blocked
The attempt came two weeks after more than 72,000 migrants surged into the territory, an incident that heightened political tensions across the European Union and stoked anti-immigration rhetoric from far-right parties globally.
Spanish news agency EFE reported that Moroccan police fired tear gas to disperse groups gathered on hills roughly three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the border.
Across the border in Ceuta, Spanish soldiers guarded supermarkets while heavily armed police patrolled the main thoroughfares, as the city appeared quieter than in the chaotic days following the deadly crossing on July 30.
Detentions and disputes
In Fnideq (Castillejos), EFE reported that Moroccan security forces intercepted this Saturday 148 migrants, in their majority subsaharianos, who intended to cross irregularly from Fnideq to Ceuta, and said 128 were from countries of sub-Saharan Africa and 20 were of Moroccan nationality.
EFE also said Moroccan forces used gases lacrimógenos during charges supported by helicopters, drones and police dogs, and that operations would continue while no collective infiltration was recorded toward Ceuta.
The BBC, citing security sources in Morocco, said authorities prevented more than 100 people from attempting to reach the border at the edge of Fnideq, and reported that sources said 111 people were detained in Fnideq or its surroundings.
The BBC added that Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse groups gathered on nearby hills, while Madrid deployed more than 1,500 security personnel to patrol the area.
What comes next
The Interior Ministry confirmed the reinforcements would stay as long as necessary, and Grande-Marlaska stated that those entering irregularly would not be permitted to stay in Ceuta, travel to mainland Spain, or receive legal status, except in rare cases involving severe vulnerability.
The Independent reported that Rabat said it was monitoring “the circulation of social media posts and messages of unknown origin” calling for a mass crossing on August 15, warning organisers and participants would face prosecution.
In parallel, the BBC said Italy suspended the Schengen cooperation with Spain, with support from Finland and Denmark, while the Czech Republic called for temporarily suspending Spain’s membership, as the crisis sparked tensions among EU states sharing open borders.