Moroccan police and military forces have removed all traces of the makeshift camps that sheltered sub-Saharan migrants on Gurugú Mountain for years as they waited for a chance to cross into Spain. Visible from Melilla and long associated with tense border episodes, the mountain is now under strict surveillance. Only the native Barbary macaques remain as permanent residents.
On a recent weekend, families from Nador sought relief from the coastal humidity in Gurugú’s pine forests. The only commotion came from the local monkeys, while Moroccan security forces kept a visible presence at the mountain’s base to prevent new attempts to breach the Melilla fence. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) in Nador reports that the region’s last major migrant camp was dismantled in 2022. AMDH says authorities have systematically relocated migrants from the forests to the country’s interior, effectively ending the era of large-scale encampments near the Spanish border.
The corridor’s history shows the pressure on the perimeter. In March 2022, about 2,500 migrants attempted to cross the Melilla fence, and Spanish authorities reported that roughly 500 reached the enclave. Migrants used hooks to climb the barrier and threw stones at police. Three Guardia Civil officers and three migrants were reported injured. Spanish Interior Ministry figures cited in reporting recorded 1,092 irregular entries into Melilla in 2020, 23% fewer than the previous year. Those figures count successful entries, not everyone gathering in the surrounding forests or attempting a crossing.
In a separate incident near the Nano River, about 150 migrants approached the fence and 87 entered Melilla, information from the spokesman for the Spanish Government Delegation in the enclave. Nine migrants were reported injured, and those who crossed were taken to a reception centre for registration. The attempt followed an August episode involving about 300 people: roughly 30 entered Melilla, and one person died. Together, the incidents show that crossing attempts can still escalate into large-scale emergencies even as visible camps disappear.
Despite the absence of visible camps, many migrants remain in precarious circumstances. In Nador, a small group of sub-Saharan women gather discreetly in a parish annex to learn French, wary of exposure because of safety concerns. Church volunteers offer medical and psychological care, along with emergency shelter and help with asylum procedures. Many of those they assist have suffered injuries or trafficking, and some have given birth in poor conditions. The parish’s outreach has become a lifeline for migrants now living in overcrowded, unsanitary apartments instead of the forests.
Local residents confirm the shift. A retired art teacher in Nador says fewer migrants are visible in public spaces and the city remains calm even during periods of heightened border tension. But near Beni Enzar, the basic crossing point to Melilla, the scale of Moroccan security operations is clear. Police and military checkpoints line the roads, while dozens of officers are stationed near the border, some in camouflage and others in black uniforms. Temporary security-force camps, equipped with cots and riot gear, point to overnight deployments in anticipation of possible mass crossings.
Increased security coincides with fears of new attempts to storm the border, often fueled by social media calls. Yet no incidents occurred on the day of the latest rumored attempt. Melilla remained quiet, with Spain’s Guardia Civil monitoring basic points along the perimeter, especially near the Dique Sur, a frequent site of previous crossings. AMDH says Moroccan controls now extend far beyond the immediate border, with checkpoints on roads from Uxda and Fez aimed at intercepting young Moroccans heading north. The organization reports that more than 80 Moroccan youths, including minors and two girls, have been detained in Nador and Beni Enzar since August 1. Some face prison sentences for offenses such as public disorder and resisting authority. Drones and surveillance cameras are reportedly used to identify and arrest suspects, sometimes at their homes.
Those detained or intercepted are often transported by bus to distant regions within Morocco, sometimes hundreds of kilometers away, and left with minimal support. The approach echoes previous tactics used against sub-Saharan migrants, dispersing potential border crossers and reducing visible migration pressure near Melilla. The situation contrasts sharply with previous years, when Gurugú was a focal point for migration and border tension. Similar security measures have been introduced at other Spanish enclaves, including when Moroccan police blocked a mass attempt to enter Ceuta, resulting in dozens of arrests.
Melilla and Ceuta, Spain’s two autonomous cities in North Africa and the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, have long been entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe. Fence crossings are one route, and attempts to swim along the coast have also been reported. The dismantling of camps on Gurugú reflects a broader trend of intensified border enforcement and cooperation between Moroccan and Spanish authorities. While fewer migrants are visible, humanitarian organizations warn that the underlying challenges remain, with many forced into more precarious and hidden circumstances. The changing migration patterns have affected daily life at the border, including local communities and security operations.
