Spain boosts security in Ceuta as calls appear online for another mass border rush
Spain and Morocco reinforced border controls after online posts urged a repeat crossing, with authorities saying the campaign was amplified by fake and genuine accounts.
- On Friday, Spanish authorities in Ceuta increased security patrols following viral social media posts urging migrants to rush the border on Saturday, with soldiers and police now guarding the North African enclave.
- An RFI investigation revealed the campaign was fueled by artificial amplification, including around 10 suspicious Instagram accounts created recently to promote rumors of the border crossing.
- Although posts generated more than 20 million views, private WhatsApp groups had nearly 800 members; Spain's Guardia Civil warned on Tuesday, "The border with Spain is closed... Don't be fooled."
- Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska visited Ceuta on Thursday, confirming over 500 additional police officers remain deployed and pledging to "deploy whatever personnel are necessary to restore normality."
- Migration expert Mohamed Ali Lahlou noted that social media acts as an accelerator, not the cause, with youth unemployment around 45 percent driving broader economic frustrations underlying the movement.
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177 Articles
The Korea Times
Moroccan security forces arrest nearly 300 migrants trying to reach Spain's Ceuta
CASABLANCA, Morocco — Hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta by land and sea were arrested by Moroccan security forces,...
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea were arrested by Moroccan security forces, Moroccan state television reported Sunday, while authorities were strengthening security...
Moroccan security forces arrest nearly 300 migrants trying to reach Sp
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. Moroccan state broadcaster Medi 1 TV said 294 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were arrested Saturday while attempting to enter Ceuta. Authorities also arrested 6…
The Government Delegation values the unprecedented shielding of the Security Forces, appreciates the coordination with Rabat and calls on citizens to isolate themselves from Internet bulls
Spain had strengthened its security forces in Ceuta in order to arm itself before a second mass rush. This feared chaos at the weekend therefore remained out, despite 300 arrests.
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