Moroccan security forces moved in on Saturday to stop a large group of mostly sub-Saharan migrants from crossing into the Spanish city of Ceuta. The operation unfolded near Castillejos, the Moroccan town closest to the border, where hundreds had gathered hoping to reach Spanish territory. Police intervened around midday, dispersing the group and detaining 111 migrants. Moroccan security sources cited by Efe said 61 people were arrested for allegedly encouraging illegal migration.
Authorities sent additional police and military units to reinforce the border. Migrants intercepted near the Cerámica neighborhood were taken by bus to distant regions such as Uarzazat, more than 800 kilometers from the Spanish border. The crackdown follows the dramatic events of late July, when 80,000 people attempted to swim into Ceuta, overwhelming local resources and resulting in 141 deaths on both sides of the border, information from humanitarian organizations. Spanish government figures for the extraordinary mass arrival on 30 and 31 July were later cited as at least 96,058 people; the central government had earlier put the number at more than 80,000. People approached the enclave by land and sea, with others arriving along the beach. The influx sharply strained services responsible for reception and identification, as well as security operations.
On Saturday, Ceuta woke under thick August fog, with viral social media messages in Morocco calling for a new mass crossing adding to the uncertainty. The Spanish and Moroccan governments responded with an unprecedented security deployment. A Moroccan police helicopter monitored migrant movements outside Castillejos. Security personnel increased markedly in the border area, with Spanish Army soldiers and Civil Guard officers stationed at basic points, especially around the El Tarajal breakwater. Legionnaires were also deployed. The area’s fortification was described as ten times stronger than the previous day.
Across the border, Moroccan police maintained a heavy presence, setting up checkpoints on basic roads from Tetouan and Tangier. Surveillance intensified overnight, with rapid-response boats and drones patrolling the land and sea. One 17-year-old migrant who reached Castillejos from Tetouan said he passed through three police checkpoints along the 35-kilometer route, a sign of the scale of the operation.
Meanwhile, the Beni Ansar crossing in Melilla remained unusually calm, with Spanish passport control rooms nearly empty. Travelers reported delays at Moroccan passport checks, and some officers were reportedly distracted by social media. Local businesses in Beni Ansar saw a sharp drop in customers. The increased police presence was clear, especially near routes used by migrants attempting to swim to Melilla. Around 60 Moroccan officers were seen at one checkpoint, some in camouflage and others in black uniforms; part of the contingent stayed overnight.
The once-notorious Gurugú mountain, previously a refuge for sub-Saharan migrants, now shows little sign of migrant encampments. Locals say security controls have intensified since 2024, particularly in recent weeks. Military checkpoints now guard park entrances, and access to the mountain is tightly restricted. The area is a protected natural space and also contains military-controlled zones, accounting for the visible army presence and limited access. During a recent visit, no migrant settlements were seen on the slopes, a stark contrast with previous years.
This latest escalation in border security follows ongoing tensions between Spain and Morocco over migration and territorial issues. The situation remains volatile, with both countries deploying thousands of security personnel to prevent further mass crossings. The Partido Popular has previously criticized the Spanish government’s handling of relations with Morocco, especially after Rabat threatened to suspend extradition agreements over disputes involving Ceuta and Melilla, as detailed in recent coverage of diplomatic tensions.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves in North Africa, have long been focal points for migration from Africa to Europe. Their border areas are among the region’s most heavily fortified, with double fences and surveillance technology, backed by frequent patrols. The recent surge in attempted crossings has prompted both governments to tighten controls further, reflecting the ongoing challenge of managing migration flows at Europe’s southern frontier.
Later figures underline the pressure on Ceuta, while measuring different aspects of movement. Spain’s Interior Ministry recorded 5,013 ordinary land entries into Ceuta by 15 August 2026, compared with 1,722 by the same date in 2025, a 191% increase. Frontex separately reported 18,260 irregular entries on the route toward Spain through the Strait of Gibraltar between January and September 2026, up 26% year on year. That route series excluded the extraordinary 30 and 31 July Ceuta arrivals, so the figures should not be combined into a single count.
The immediate aftermath also brought a large return movement and a continuing reception burden. Reporting in October cited the Spanish government as saying that 12,000 people had returned voluntarily to Morocco since mid-August. Authorities dismantled Ceuta’s beach encampments, including those at Trampolín, Benítez and El Guano, while managing the number of people remaining in the enclave and the related accommodation and asylum workload.
