Moroccan authorities intercepted 111 people attempting irregular migration in Fnideq and surrounding areas on Saturday, August 15, including 109 nationals from sub-Saharan African countries. A major security deployment prevented any collective attempt to cross into Sebta or Melilla.
The operations began in the early hours of Saturday morning in northern Morocco, where security forces had reinforced their presence amid concerns over possible collective movements toward the two Spanish enclaves.
According to a security source, 111 people attempting irregular migration were intercepted: 109 from sub-Saharan African countries and two Moroccan nationals.
The reinforced and coordinated deployment of the various security services prevented any collective attempt to cross into Sebta or Melilla. The security situation remains "normal and under control,” the same source said.
Social Media Under Surveillance
Alongside operations on the ground, Morocco’s National Security services have intensified their monitoring of social media platforms, where calls encouraging irregular migration and collective crossing attempts have been detected in recent days.
These preventive operations have resulted in the arrest of 61 people suspected of inciting irregular migration and promoting such calls through social media, according to the security source.
Authorities said digital monitoring operations will continue in an effort to identify others suspected of organizing or promoting such movements.
A Two-Pronged Security Strategy
Moroccan authorities are pursuing a two-pronged approach: maintaining a reinforced security presence on the ground to prevent collective crossings into Sebta and Melilla, while acting upstream against individuals suspected of organizing or encouraging such attempts through social media.
The heightened mobilization comes as migration pressure remains significant along the Western Mediterranean route, with northern Morocco serving as one of the key transit areas toward the land borders with Sebta and Melilla.