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Spanish intelligence: threat of new mass migrant push to Ceuta is credible
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Spanish intelligence has concluded that online calls for a fresh mass crossing of migrants into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta are fully credible, prompting preparations for a new wave. The mobilization, echoing a late-July push that saw up to 70,000 migrants reach the territory and 141 die, appears to be gathering greater momentum online, with messages on Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok urging people to swim around the Tarajal breakwater on or before 15 August. Most of the previous crossers have been returned to Morocco, but the incident triggered a fierce political backlash across Europe, with 22 EU leaders signing a letter blaming Spanish pro-migration policy. The temperature has since cooled, with interior ministers praising Spain's response. Spanish officials say they are ready and expect Moroccan law enforcement to cooperate to prevent a repeat. EU migration chief Magnus Brunner blamed smugglers and disinformation and praised Morocco's subsequent cooperation.
Source report
Spain is preparing for a fresh attempt by thousands of migrants to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, after intelligence officials concluded that online calls for a mass crossing are fully credible.
Escalating Online Mobilisation
According to local media outlet SER, this new action resembles the mass crossing seen in late July but appears more intense, with a higher volume of messages circulating online.
Reports indicate that messages on Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok are urging people to swim around the Tarajal breakwater on 15 August — or possibly earlier — to reach Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the North African coast.
Previous Incident and Political Fallout
Last week, as many as 70,000 migrants reached Ceuta, which is normally home to around 85,000 people. Approximately 141 people died in the attempt.
Spain has stated that most of those who crossed have since been returned to neighbouring Morocco. However, the episode triggered a fierce political backlash across Europe.
Leaders from 22 EU countries signed a letter drafted by Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, calling for a coordinated European response and blaming Spain’s pro-migration policy as a "pull factor."
Tensions have since eased. Interior ministers met online on Tuesday to praise Spain’s response and offer support.
Spanish and EU Response
Spanish officials insist that authorities are ready to handle any situation at the border and expect Moroccan law enforcement to cooperate to prevent a repeat of the earlier incident.
Behind closed doors, Spanish authorities have urged allies not to blame Moroccan authorities for the initial crisis.
On Tuesday, EU migration chief Magnus Brunner repeatedly avoided questions about whether Moroccan authorities had facilitated the mass crossing into Ceuta. When pressed on claims that officials had allowed migrants through, he instead blamed smugglers and disinformation, while praising Morocco’s subsequent cooperation.
Ines Fernandez-Pontes contributed to this report.
Source
EuractivWestern
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