Second Ceuta border push falls flat with security forces ready

Bogus posts had circulated on social media promoting the claim that Spain would open its border on Aug. 15, a national holiday.

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta by land and sea were arrested by Moroccan security forces, Moroccan state television reported Sunday, as authorities tightened security along the border following calls for a new mass crossing.

The latest attempt comes two weeks after tens of thousands of would-be migrants, driven by poverty and misinformation, rushed toward Ceuta in one of the deadliest migration crises to hit the region.

The latest attempt comes two weeks after tens of thousands of would-be migrants rushed toward Ceuta in one of the deadliest migration crises to hit the region

Hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta by land and sea were arrested by Moroccan security forces, Moroccan state television reported Sunday, as authorities tightened security along the border following calls for a new mass crossing.

Moroccan security forces arrest nearly 300 migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta  Toronto Star

Moroccan security forces arrest nearly 300 migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta

Moroccan security forces have arrested hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea

Moroccan security forces have arrested hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea

Moroccan security forces arrest nearly 300 migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta  apnews.com

Morocco has deployed heavy security around the border city of Fnideq after false social media rumours claimed the border to Spain's Ceuta enclave would open. Hundreds of migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, have gathered nearby, raising fears of another mass crossing just weeks after tens of thousands attempted to

Spain and Morocco have boosted security around Spain’s African enclave Ceuta following calls for another Moroccan migrant border rush, two weeks after a migrant invasion left at least 96 people dead. Soldiers have been watching commercial and government buildings in Ceuta while police are patrolling main streets, accor

In late July, tens of thousands of migrants crossed the European border into a small enclave in a single day.

Spain's African enclave Ceuta sees soldiers patrolling streets as Morocco says it arrested those inciting a second mass border crossing on Saturday.

Moroccan authorities on Wednesday announced measures to counter a new influx of migrants to the Spanish territory of Ceuta, after monitoring a new wave of online disinformation.

One witness said the schools in Fnideq had been turned into dormitories for security forces deployed near the border.

Spain boosts security in Ceuta as calls appear online for another mass border rush  Reuters

CEUTA, Spain, Aug 14 - Spain has beefed up police and military presence in its North African enclave of Ceuta amid social media messages encouraging migrants to attempt another mass border breach on Saturday, two weeks after tens of thousands rushed into the city.

By Kingsley Omonobi The Commissioners of Police in Kogi and Edo states have intensified security collaboration along the Kogi-Edo boundary following concerns over kidnapping and banditry attacks in communities around the border. The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, and his Edo counterpart,

Spanish authorities are also working to speed up the removal of the 5,000 irregular migrants still in the city following the influx of July 30 and 31

Spanish authorities are also working to speed up the removal of the 5,000 irregular migrants still in the city following the influx of July 30 and 31

A team of EU migration experts is in Ceuta for a “first-hand assessment” of the situation, as reports warn of a potential new migrant influx on 15 August. Brussels, however, says its focus remains on protecting the EU’s external border at all times, rather than on any “specific date”.

Moroccan authorities on Wednesday announced measures to counter a new influx of migrants to the Spanish territory of Ceuta, after monitoring a new wave of online disinformation.

The status of the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish territories is not up for discussion, Spanish officials said on Wednesday, after Morocco's justice minister reiterated Rabat's sovereignty claims over the cities.

Morocco won't abandon its claim over Ceuta, says Spain's former envoy  euractiv.com

Morocco Interior Ministry says it has increased security along its borders with the Spanish exclaves Ceuta and Melilla.

Spain has ruled out discussing the future of Ceuta and Melilla after Morocco's justice minister reiterated Rabat's sovereignty claims over the two enclaves.