Rabat – Morocco’s security services arrested 10 people, including two minors, over their alleged involvement in spreading false news and digital content calling for a new mass irregular migration attempt.
The arrest took place in coordination with the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
A statement from the police said monitoring services detected posts and digital content claiming that preparations were underway to storm the security fences in the occupied cities of Ceuta and Melilla, encouraging social media users to join the irregular migration operation on Wednesday.
The suspects include two minors aged 16 and 17, with police stating that technical investigations identified a group of people suspected of their involvement in promoting content on a new irregular migration.
The arrests took place in the cities of Temara, Beni Mellal, Casablanca, Taza, Marrakech, Fez, Tarudant, and Nador.
Police put the suspects in custody pending an investigation to uncover all the circumstances and details surrounding the case and determine the motives behind the new social campaign.
The arrest comes amid an already fragile situation following the July mass migration to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Tens of thousands of Moroccans and non-Moroccans crossed to the enclave, triggering one of the largest irregular migration operations that marked the Moroccan borders.
The situation also sparked a new anti-Moroccan rhetoric from the far-right politicians in Spain, who accused Morocco of a hybrid war.
Spain denied the accusations, stating there is no evidence showing Morocco’s involvement in a similar act while also stressing Rabat’s cooperation to address the crisis.
Morocco and Spain responded to the mass entry through an emergency agreement, which allowed the return of the majority of migrants. Deportation and voluntary returns continue, and both countries committed to stopping any similar mass crossing.
Social media campaigns inciting new mass entries, including for September 23, however, continue– with Rabat committed to fulfilling its responsibility while also urging Spain and the EU to also contribute to tackling the crisis as a shared responsibility.
