Morocco intercepts hundreds of migrants attempting irregular crossing to Ceuta

Moroccan security forces intercepted hundreds of sub-Saharan migrants attempting to cross irregularly into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Saturday, according to authorities and news reports.

The interceptions occurred in mountainous terrain outside Fnideq, known locally as Castillejos, the border city adjacent to Ceuta in North Africa. Moroccan security forces confirmed they detained 148 migrants, of whom 128 were from sub-Saharan countries and 20 were Moroccan nationals, according to the news agency EFE.

Multiple crossing attempts took place throughout the day. In one operation near midday, Moroccan police charged against hundreds of sub-Saharan migrants on the outskirts of Castillejos. Security forces intercepted 111 migrants attempting to reach the Ceuta border and detained 61 additional people on suspicion of inciting illegal migration, according to Moroccan security sources cited by EFE.

Many of those detained carried pickaxes and other tools reportedly intended to help them scale the border fence surrounding the Spanish enclave. The migrants had been concealed in a ravine in the Cerámica neighborhood, the area closest to the border with Spain.

Following the interceptions, Moroccan authorities transported detainees by bus to different locations across the country. Some were relocated to Uarzazat, more than 800 kilometers from the Spanish border.

The operation involved thousands of security personnel deployed in the area outside Fnideq. Officers accompanied by dogs remained stationed on the outskirts to locate additional groups of migrants hiding in the region.

Meanwhile, the neighboring Spanish enclave of Melilla experienced what authorities described as unusually calm conditions at its border crossing Saturday, with significantly reduced traffic compared to typical days.