Border Breach Foiled: Dramatic Confrontation at the Frontier
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Moroccan Authorities Thwart Mass Border Crossing Attempt
Moroccan authorities have prevented dozens of migrants from breaking through the border fence and crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, following calls on social media to cross the border en masse.
On the border, dozens of migrants climbed Fnidek hill, where they threw stones at Moroccan security forces. The police managed to stop them from reaching the border fence.
At least 60 people were arrested last week for using social media to encourage migrants to attempt mass border crossings.
As of Friday, September 13, Moroccan security forces have been deployed in large numbers in Fnidek, with a significant presence of security forces and checkpoints on the roads to northern Morocco as a precaution.
According to local human rights activist Mohamed Ben Aisa, “This is the strongest presence of security forces ever in Fnidek.” He added that hundreds of people were being kept away from the border, with the majority of migrants being young Moroccans, joined by smaller numbers of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
Many migrants came to Fnidek on foot, hiding in the forest to escape the authorities. Moroccan security forces are working to prevent land border crossings and are patrolling the beach to prevent migrants from swimming to Ceuta.
The two Spanish enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the EU’s only land border with Africa. These areas occasionally experience waves of attempted crossings by migrants trying to reach Europe.
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