A large-scale security deployment prevented any collective attempt to cross into Sebta or Melilla on Saturday morning. In Fnideq and the surrounding areas, 111 people attempting irregular migration were intercepted, 109 of them from sub-Saharan Africa, according to a security source.
The operations began in the early hours of Saturday, August 15, amid the presence of significant numbers of migrants in areas surrounding Sebta. Of the 111 people intercepted, 109 were nationals of sub-Saharan African countries and two were Moroccan nationals.
According to the same source, the reinforced and coordinated deployment of security forces prevented any mass crossing attempt, both around Sebta and Melilla. The security situation at the two border areas remains “normal and under control.”
The heightened security presence on the ground has been accompanied by increased monitoring of social media, where authorities say calls encouraging collective attempts at irregular migration have circulated in recent days.
Preventive operations carried out by Morocco’s National Security services have resulted in the arrest of 61 people suspected of inciting irregular migration and promoting calls for mass crossing attempts through social media platforms.
Authorities say digital monitoring operations will continue in an effort to identify individuals involved in encouraging such attempts, while security forces maintain their reinforced presence on the ground.
The authorities are therefore pursuing a two-pronged strategy: preventing further collective attempts to cross into Sebta and Melilla while targeting individuals and networks suspected of organizing or encouraging irregular migration through social media.
