Migrants Attempt to Cross EU Border in Morocco

Hundreds of migrants stormed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco on Sunday after a mass illegal border crossing was organized on social media.

Ceuta is approximately a two-hour boat ride to mainland Spain. The only other land crossing from Africa to Europe is Melilla, also owned by Spain.

Attempted crossings: As the crowds approached Ceuta, Moroccan security personnel formed a human barricade and fired gunshots into the air. No one successfully entered Spain, Moroccan authorities said.

Video footage shows the majority of migrants were young men. Photos captured them climbing wired fencing.

Meanwhile in Fnideq, a town immediately south of Ceuta, many people who wanted to join in were sent back home.

“This is the heaviest security deployment ever in Fnideq with authorities acting preemptively by setting up multiple checkpoints on roads to northern Morocco,” said Mohammed Ben Aissa, a local human rights activist.

Advertised: The plan was idealistically branded as “the Promised Day” and “the Great Escape.” Instigators encouraged people to swim or travel on foot to reach the border. Some came from other parts of Africa.

The Moroccan World News cited responding posts:

• “May God make it easy for everyone to leave this country.”
• “The peace be upon you, dear brothers. I’m going to Fnideq from Marrakech.”
• “Who wants to join on Saturday?”

At least 60 people were arrested for inciting unlawful behavior on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram last week, but many still showed up.

Stats: Morocco’s Interior Ministry reported:

• 11,300 migrants were stopped from crossing into Ceuta by authorities in August.
• 3,300 were stopped from entering Melilla in August.
• Over 45,000 have been stopped from crossing into European territory from January to August this year.

Events like this are a good reminder that Europe will have to confront the immigration crisis sooner rather than later.

Learn more: Read “Why a New Migrant Crisis Could Destroy Europe.”