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Doha – Recent reports from Spanish media have highlighted Morocco’s enhanced efforts to curb illegal immigration attempts into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
According to EFE, the increased surveillance on the Moroccan side of the Tarajal border breakwater has led to an 80% reduction in the number of immigrants swimming to the beaches of Ceuta in recent days.
Police sources informed EFE that the number of entries has returned to levels similar to what has been observed since the beginning of the year, indicating a continued migratory pressure, but to a lesser extent.
In fact, in the last 24 hours, only three adult Moroccan immigrants and two minors managed to enter via this route, resembling the pattern seen throughout the year.
The deployment of more military and police personnel on the Moroccan side of the border breakwater, along with the installation of fencing and an increased number of raids in the Fnideq area near the customs office, have helped reduce these swim entry attempts, despite their continued occurrence.
Europa Press reported that the Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has maintained that army detachments in Ceuta and Melilla have conveyed to her that Morocco’s collaboration in managing immigration at the border is “total and absolute.”
Robles shared this information during a recent interview on Antena 3 TV channel, citing what military detachments in the two cities communicated to her during her recent trips, the last one being in mid-August in Melilla.
However, Robles also warned that the situation of “abandonment” in the Sahel is leading more people to take “the Atlantic route” and leave the region, necessitating the European Union to prioritize the Sahel to “curb instability.”
ABC reported that Morocco “has militarized” its beaches to contain the migratory pressure on Ceuta, deploying the army to send those detained trying to cross illegally to the south of the country. The same strategy was employed in Melilla following the tragic events at the fence in June 2022.
In Fnideq, Morocco has taken similar actions, militarizing the border and installing a camp on the mountain, which was cleared of immigrants. Hundreds were moved hundreds of kilometers away to prevent their return.
Morocco has reported that up to 800 people have been arrested in raids in recent days. Minors are being taken to the Martil center to be returned to their legal guardians, while adults have been bussed to the south to hinder their return to the beaches.
Despite Morocco’s efforts to control the “harraga” movement, which means “clandestine immigrant” in the Moroccan dialect, the trickle of arrivals continues, according to the Spanish news outlet.
The movement remains active on social media platforms like TikTok, where false promises of work, money, and well-being in Europe have encouraged desperate young people to attempt the perilous journey.
While some Spanish media outlets have engaged in anti-Moroccan propaganda, these recent reports clearly demonstrate Morocco’s consistent cooperation in reducing illegal immigration to the Iberian country.
Read also: Spanish FM: Spain-Morocco Migration Roadmap Yields Positive Results
