Moroccan Police Deployed Water Cannons and Tear Gas Near Ceuta Ahead of Saturday

Between late July and mid-August, security forces in North Africa and southern Europe went on high alert following social media calls urging a fresh surge of migrants across the borders of the Spanish exclaves Ceuta and Melilla, according to reports from the Associated Press and local media. Moroccan authorities deployed 20,000 members of the armed forces equipped with water cannons, tear gas, and stun grenades near the frontier after 72,000 Moroccans crossed into Ceuta over a two-day period in late July.

Border Security and Exclave Tensions

The security measures follow a crossing in late July when tens of thousands of individuals entered Ceuta, overwhelming local infrastructure and prompting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to visit the site. According to the Moroccan news site Hespress, the deployed military personnel are stationed with ambulances and specialized crowd-control gear. Meanwhile, the interior ministry in Rabat stated that officials are actively investigating the origins of the online calls targeting August 15 and have initiated police raids and arrests, as reported by the MAP news agency. In Melilla, a smaller enclave located further east, the Spanish ministry of defense responded by canceling all leave and off-duty privileges for stationed troops starting Thursday, August 13.

Historical Status and Political Standoff

The sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla remains a point of contention between Madrid and Rabat. According to government records, Ceuta has belonged to Spain since 1580 and Melilla since 1497, predating the establishment of the modern Moroccan kingdom in 1956. While Moroccan Justice Minister Abdallátíf Uahbí reiterated in a television interview with Aš-Šark that Rabat views the exclaves as Moroccan territory and prefers a negotiated solution, Spanish officials reject any talks. Simone Radačičová, a journalist and hispanist cited by Seznam Zprávy, noted that political parties across the Spanish political spectrum maintain a strict consensus against negotiating the status of the cities, a stance echoed by Defense Minister Margarita Robles during her visit to Ceuta.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Ceuta and Melilla?

Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish cities located on the northern coast of Africa, bordering Morocco. Ceuta spans approximately 18.5 square kilometers with over 80,000 residents, while Melilla covers 12.3 square kilometers with slightly over 86,000 residents.

Why are security forces on high alert?

According to the Associated Press, authorities mobilized thousands of troops and police officers following social media campaigns urging unauthorized border crossings, building on a late July migration wave that saw tens of thousands enter Ceuta.

Does Morocco claim the exclaves?

Yes. Moroccan officials maintain that the coastal cities are part of their national territory, though Spain refuses to negotiate sovereignty, pointing to centuries of continuous Spanish administration.