Morocco detains suspects behind calls to storm Ceuta border

Moroccan authorities have arrested a group of individuals suspected of spreading calls for a mass attempt to cross the border into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, Morocco’s Interior Ministry said.

The arrests followed the circulation of anonymous posts on social media urging people to organize an illegal mass crossing toward Ceuta and the Spanish enclave of Melilla on Morocco’s northern coast, Akhbarona news portal reports.

“Authorities arrested a group of individuals suspected of carrying out inciting activities and placed them under judicial investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said authorities had been closely monitoring the spread of anonymous social media content in recent days calling for mass attempts to cross the border illegally.

It added that “all necessary measures have been taken by the state authorities to counter any attempt at illegal border crossing and intercept anyone attempting to take part.”

The Interior Ministry urged the public to “act responsibly and not be guided by suspicious and misleading calls,” warning that such attempts could put people’s lives at risk.

The statement came after anonymous messages circulated online alleging preparations for another mass border-crossing attempt into Ceuta, reportedly scheduled for August 15.

By Vafa Guliyeva