**Title: Moroccan Police Detain Over 100 Migrants Attempting to Reach Ceuta**
**Date: August 15, 2026**
Moroccan police have apprehended more than 100 individuals attempting to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Africa. The arrests occurred amid a surge of migration attempts, with many of those detained reportedly hailing from sub-Saharan Africa.
Footage shared on social media platforms on Saturday depicted large groups of migrants making their way toward Ceuta. This latest attempt to breach the borders comes just weeks after a significant influx of over 70,000 migrants entered the enclave, a situation that resulted in numerous fatalities during the perilous journey.
In response to the escalating crisis, Moroccan authorities have intensified their efforts to prevent further crossings. Reports indicate that hundreds of police officers were deployed to manage the situation, leading to at least 111 arrests, as confirmed by sources within Morocco's Ministry of Interior. To disperse the crowds, law enforcement utilized tear gas, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the attempted crossings.
Local news outlet Le360 reported a higher figure, stating that as many as 294 individuals had been arrested, including 46 Moroccan nationals. The remainder of those detained were primarily from sub-Saharan African countries. The migrants reportedly chose to navigate through mountainous terrain to avoid security checkpoints, traveling through the coastal town of Fnideq en route to Ceuta.
The recent surge in migration attempts has drawn criticism from Spanish lawmakers, particularly Jaime de los Santos of the conservative People’s Party (PP). De los Santos accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of neglecting the situation, which has been ongoing since July 30. He expressed frustration over Sanchez's absence, as the Prime Minister is currently on holiday at the Royal Residence of La Mareta in Lanzarote.
In his statement, De los Santos emphasized the urgency of the crisis, stating, “It’s Saturday, August 15th, and the week of the eclipse has already passed. Sixteen days have gone by since Spain was invaded by more than 80,000 Moroccan citizens, and Pedro Sanchez is still hiding in La Mareta without giving any explanation, without putting a stop to this crisis, and using his ministers to cover up his shameful actions.”
The situation in Ceuta remains precarious, with approximately 5,000 migrants still present in the enclave, according to Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The recent migration wave has raised concerns about the humanitarian implications and the need for effective policy responses to manage the ongoing crisis.
As Moroccan authorities continue to crack down on migration attempts, the geopolitical dynamics surrounding Ceuta and the broader implications for migration policy in Spain and Morocco remain a topic of significant discussion and concern.