294 Migrants Arrested Near Morocco-Ceuta Border

Moroccan security forces have intercepted hundreds of migrants near the border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, weeks after a major influx into the territory.

Moroccan media outlet Le360 reported that 294 people were arrested, including 46 Moroccans and others from sub-Saharan Africa.

An official familiar with the operation described the arrests as part of routine measures to prevent irregular migration towards Ceuta.

Migrants frequently gather in forests near the borders of Ceuta and Melilla in an attempt to reach the Spanish territories. Some migrants intercepted on Saturday cited insecurity, unemployment and poor living conditions as reasons for seeking to enter Europe.

Moroccan authorities had earlier announced increased security measures following reports and online claims that the Ceuta border would be opened.

Authorities have also arrested more than 60 people accused of promoting or encouraging irregular migration on social media, according to local reports.

The latest operation comes about two weeks after roughly 72,000 people, mostly Moroccans, crossed into Ceuta within days. Most were subsequently returned to Morocco.

The previous influx resulted in deaths, with Moroccan authorities reporting 11 recovered bodies, while Spain put the death toll at at least 80. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights, however, estimated that at least 141 people died.