Morocco Stops Dozens of Migrants from Joining Spain’s Ceuta

Sun Sep 06 2026 11:20:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Moroccan forces detain over 100 migrants aiming to cross into Ceuta, sparking tensions across the EU.

In a tight security operation on the outskirts of Fnideq, Moroccan police blocked more than a hundred people looking to cross into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. The majority of the detainees come from sub‑Saharan Africa and were held with tear gas and riot gear. Spain has poured 1,500 officers into the area, while Moroccan authorities mounted troops, speedboats and drones. The move comes after the arrival of 78,000 migrants earlier in July, 100 of whom died, and has ignited debate among EU members over shared borders and the Schengen zone.

Moroccan police, armed with riot gear and tear gas, detained more than 100 migrants attempting to cross into Spain’s land‑locked enclave of Ceuta.

The operation took place on the outskirts of Fnideq, a town only about 1.8 miles from the border. 111 people, most of them from sub‑Saharan Africa, were arrested while the police scattered them across nearby hills.

In response to the mass influx that saw 78,000 migrants arrive by sea earlier this month, Spain sent 1,500 security officers to patrol the region. Moroccan troops, navy speedboats and drones were also deployed around the breakwater entrance.

The crackdown is part of a larger diplomatic row. Italy has halted its Schengen agreement with Spain, and the Czech Republic has called for a temporary suspension. Nevertheless, Spanish Prime Minister Javier Sanchez maintains that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen zone.

Authorities are warning makers and participants of a possible second wave of crossings, and the situation remains tense despite the recent quiet down. The crisis highlights the ongoing challenges of shared borders and migration control across the European Union.