Moroccan authorities intervened to stop a crowd of migrants gathering near the border of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Key facts
- •Moroccan police used a helicopter, dogs, and teargas to break up a migrant crowd near Fnideq.
- •RTVE president Jose Pablo Lopez condemned the expulsion of journalists as an obstacle to press freedom.
- •Morocco arrested 61 individuals on charges related to human smuggling and social media incitement.
- •The July 30 attempt to breach Ceuta resulted in at least 140 deaths.
- •Morocco claims sovereignty over the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Moroccan riot police dispersed a crowd of mostly sub-Saharan migrants near the seaside town of Fnideq on Saturday, August 15. The operation, which involved dogs, teargas, and a helicopter, took place approximately 3km south of the border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
By the numbers
Police actions and press restrictions
Authorities arrested between 100 and 300 individuals attempting to reach the EU. Additionally, the General Directorate of National Security arrested 61 people suspected of human smuggling and inciting migration via social media. Prior to the crackdown, Moroccan police expelled journalists from the Spanish news agency EFE and the broadcaster RTVE, drawing criticism from RTVE president Jose Pablo Lopez regarding press freedom.
Context of the migration attempt
The gathering in Fnideq followed social media activity encouraging a mass-scale attempt to breach Ceuta, similar to an event on July 30 where 72,000 people attempted to cross the border. Reports indicate that at least 140 people died during the July incident, and approximately 5,000 remain in the area. Moroccan authorities also intercepted groups attempting to board trains to Ceuta from Casablanca, Fez, and Kenitra.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by EUobserver.
