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Morocco Stops Second Ceuta Push as Spain Keeps Troops and Sea Barrier in Place

The intervention underscores continuing strain on Ceuta’s services and could force new legal and diplomatic steps over returns and EU burden sharing.

Overview

  • The mass influx that began on July 30 saw roughly 72,000 people enter Ceuta, producing dozens of deaths and overwhelming the tiny enclave’s reception capacity.
  • On Saturday, Moroccan authorities detained about 111 people near Fnideq after social‑media calls urged a repeat crossing and police used tear gas to disperse groups gathered on hills.
  • Spain has reinforced Ceuta with a maritime barrier and more than 1,600 security personnel to prevent further breaches and to process and return irregular arrivals.
  • About 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta in makeshift shelters on El Trampolín beach, where local health officials warn of unsanitary conditions and rising illness and injury among people living there.
  • The crisis is testing legal limits on instant sea pushbacks, prompting investigations into smuggling and online mobilization and producing tensions within the EU over Schengen checks and responsibility sharing.