Moroccan police arrest more than 100 people as they attempt to enter Ceuta

Moroccan police have arrested 111 people as they tried to enter Spain’s north African territory of Ceuta, amid ⁠tightened security on both sides after social media posts ​called for another mass crossing.

The attempted crossing on Saturday came two weeks after more than 72,000 migrants surged into Ceuta, causing tensions within the EU and prompting anti-immigration rhetoric among far-right parties worldwide. At least 96 people died trying to ⁠reach European soil.

Madrid has ‌since installed a maritime barrier and deployed more than 500 additional police officers from mainland Spain, raising the total in Ceuta to more than 1,600. The interior ministry said the reinforcements would remain for as long as needed. EFE and Spanish state broadcaster TVE said Morocco’s interior ministry ordered their journalists ‌to leave Fnideq immediately, without providing an explanation.

Spain’s interior minister said migrants who entered irregularly would not be allowed to stay in the territory, travel to mainland Spain, or ‌obtain legal status, except in rare cases involving extreme vulnerability. Those without a right to remain would be returned to Morocco.