Lorraine Williamson
Security has also been stepped up on the Moroccan side ahead of Wednesday’s parliamentary elections, while Spanish authorities monitor calls circulating on social media encouraging people to attempt another mass crossing.
Security reinforced at Ceuta border
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has confirmed that security at the borders of Ceuta and Melilla has been reinforced as a preventative measure following alerts circulating on social media about a possible attempted mass crossing on Wednesday.
Spanish media report that 324 Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil public-order officers already deployed in Ceuta have been placed on alert, comprising 180 police officers and 144 Guardia Civil personnel. Further reinforcements are also being deployed, including additional Guardia Civil public-order units and increased helicopter and drone surveillance.
Warning centres on Wednesday 23 September
The latest alert relates to messages circulating through social networks and messaging channels calling for people to attempt to enter Ceuta on Wednesday. The date coincides with Morocco’s parliamentary elections, raising concerns that security resources on the Moroccan side could otherwise be concentrated elsewhere.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said during a visit to Ceuta on Monday that Spanish intelligence and information services were monitoring open sources and exchanging intelligence with Morocco to assess the credibility of the warnings. Authorities had also monitored calls for a crossing on Sunday, 20 September, but no significant movement subsequently occurred.
Wednesday’s warning is the sixth such alert identified by the security services since the mass arrivals at the end of July. Several previous calls circulated without resulting in significant attempts, although authorities are treating the latest warning seriously and have reinforced preventative measures on both sides of the border.
Morocco strengthens security around the border
Morocco has also significantly reinforced its security presence around Fnideq, immediately across the border from Ceuta. Security measures observed in recent days have included additional personnel, police and military vehicles, water cannon and physical barriers extending into the sea.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Tuesday that Morocco had given assurances that it would work to prevent another mass crossing. Albares said Madrid and Rabat remain in daily contact and are also working to counter false information circulating online suggesting that entering Ceuta or Melilla irregularly provides a route into mainland Europe.
Ceuta remains under pressure after July arrivals
The heightened security comes as Ceuta continues to deal with the consequences of the exceptionally large arrivals at the end of July. Thousands of adults and children are still being accommodated across temporary facilities while authorities continue identification procedures and work to resolve individual cases.
The Spanish government announced on Tuesday that additional accommodation will be opened during this week and next, backed by €88 million in government funding. Around 6,000 adults and 2,000 minors are currently housed in different facilities, according to Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres.
Albares is also due to meet Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in New York during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week. Their discussions are expected to include the return of migrants who remain in Ceuta as well as cooperation intended to prevent further irregular crossings.
Authorities prepare for Wednesday
There is currently no confirmation that a new mass crossing will take place. The warnings originate from calls circulating online, and several previous alerts have passed without a significant incident.
However, the scale of the preventative deployment means Wednesday will be closely watched on both sides of the border. Spanish and Moroccan authorities are increasing personnel and surveillance while intelligence services continue assessing whether the online calls translate into movement towards Ceuta.