Rising speculation fuels fears of another migrant influx
Rumors circulating across social media platforms for over a week have raised alarms about an alleged opening of the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta this past Saturday, August 15. Online posts falsely claimed the border would open on a Spanish public holiday, sparking widespread speculation about a potential mass migration attempt.
The Moroccan government has moved swiftly to dismiss these claims and reassure the public. In a statement, officials emphasized that all necessary measures have been implemented to prevent illegal border crossings and intercept anyone attempting to participate in such actions. Interior Ministry spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi underscored the government’s commitment to maintaining border security.
Disinformation campaigns targeted at Melilla as well
Moroccan authorities have also identified a coordinated effort to spread misinformation regarding another Spanish enclave, Melilla, located approximately 400 kilometers east of Ceuta. Officials confirmed that legal action will be taken against those promoting illegal crossing calls. A group of individuals suspected of involvement in organizing these attempts has already been detained and is under investigation.
Record-breaking migration surge leaves lasting impact
The recent wave of disinformation follows an unprecedented surge in illegal migration to Ceuta in late July. Nearly 72,000 people crossed the border in just a few days, setting a new record for such a short period. Spanish authorities have since repatriated around 70,000 individuals back to Morocco, leaving approximately 2,000 people still in Ceuta. Among them, more than 1,000 are unaccompanied minors, according to Spanish enclave officials.
The crisis has also had a tragic human toll. Moroccan authorities report 11 deaths along their side of the border, while Spanish forensic experts confirm at least 80 fatalities on their side. However, local Moroccan NGOs, such as the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, estimate the death toll to be as high as 141 people.
