Spanish, Moroccan Forces Avert Ceuta Crossing as 5,000 Migrants Still Remain
Updated
Updated · Xinhua · Aug 17
Spanish, Moroccan Forces Avert Ceuta Crossing as 5,000 Migrants Still Remain
3 articles · Updated · Xinhua · Aug 17
Summary
More than 500 extra Spanish officers and layered Moroccan controls prevented a feared Aug. 15 mass rush into Ceuta after social media calls urged another crossing.
Morocco said it intercepted 294 people and arrested 61 suspected facilitators, while Spain raised Ceuta's security deployment to about 1,600 police and kept 2,000 troops on standby.
Around 5,000 migrants from the July 30-31 influx still remain in Ceuta, straining shelters and health services even as daily medical demand has fallen 72% from its peak.
Italy's temporary checks on arrivals from Spain, and Spain's reciprocal controls, have pushed the crisis into the Schengen debate over free movement, returns and external border management.