Spain and Morocco are stepping up security ahead of Saturday, 15 August, following calls on social media for another large-scale attempt to cross into Spanish territory. While attention has largely focused on Ceuta, security concerns are now increasingly turning towards Melilla.
Redaktion Spanien Press
Spain’s southern borders are on high alert ahead of tomorrow, Saturday, 15 August, amid fears of another coordinated attempt by large numbers of migrants to enter Spanish territory.
Spanish security services have been monitoring calls circulating on social media urging people to attempt another mass crossing. The Guardia Civil has itself assessed the online mobilisation, although the number of people who may ultimately respond to the calls remains impossible to predict.
Following the events at the end of July, however, the Spanish authorities are taking no chances.
Spain and Morocco have significantly reinforced security around both Ceuta and Melilla, while leave and new holiday requests for Guardia Civil officers stationed in the two Spanish autonomous cities have been restricted to ensure maximum operational capacity.
Concern increasingly turns towards Melilla
Until now, Ceuta has been regarded as the most likely flashpoint. It was there that the dramatic events at the end of July placed the Spanish border under enormous pressure.
However, attention is now increasingly turning towards Melilla.
Reports indicate concern over the presence of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in the area around Mount Gurugú, on the Moroccan side of the border. The mountain overlooking Melilla has long been used as a gathering and waiting area by migrants hoping to reach Spanish territory.
Melilla has consequently stepped up its own preparations, including measures to strengthen its maritime border in case migration routes shift away from the heavily reinforced Ceuta frontier.
Guardia Civil issues stark warning on social media
The Guardia Civil has also taken the unusual step of addressing potential migrants directly through social media.
In a message published in French, the force sought to counter rumours that the Spanish border would somehow be opened on 15 August.
Its warning was unequivocal: “The border with Spain is neither open nor will it be opened. There are new containment barriers. If you cross them, you will be returned. Do not be deceived.”
The message is aimed directly at claims and rumours spreading through Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram and Instagram, where groups have been discussing plans for another attempt to reach Spanish territory.
Spain and Morocco mobilise
Security has been reinforced on both sides.
Morocco has deployed additional police and military personnel, strengthened physical barriers and reportedly detained individuals accused of encouraging irregular migration through social media.
Spain has meanwhile significantly increased the number of police officers and Guardia Civil personnel deployed in Ceuta. Security has also been reinforced in Melilla, while surveillance by land and sea has been stepped up.
The scale of the preparations demonstrates just how seriously the authorities are treating tomorrow’s date.
All eyes now on Saturday
There is still no certainty that a mass crossing will actually take place. Online calls do not necessarily translate into large numbers of people appearing at the border, and security services themselves have acknowledged the difficulty of predicting participation.
What is clear is that Spain does not want to be caught off guard again.
Ceuta remains heavily protected, Morocco has reinforced its side of the frontier and Melilla is now under particularly close observation amid fears that pressure could shift eastwards.
Tomorrow, Saturday, 15 August, Spain’s southern border will be under maximum surveillance. And while Ceuta was initially considered the main potential flashpoint, growing attention is now turning towards Melilla.
The coming hours will reveal whether the extensive security operation succeeds in preventing another major attempt to cross into Spanish territory.
