--- title: "Ceuta under threat: 355 arrests and a new wave of the migration crisis between Morocco and Spain" description: "🚨 Migration crisis in Ceuta: Morocco arrested 355 people trying to prevent a new storming of the Spanish border. The situation worsened after the tragedy of July 30, which claimed 100 lives. Madrid and Rabat are exchanging accusations again against the backdrop of a sovereignty dispute. #Ceuta #Morocco #Spain #Migration" date: 2026-08-17T23:30:37.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ceuta-under-threat-355-arrests-migration-crisis-morocco-spain tags: [ceuta, morocco, spain, migration-crisis, eu-border] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Ceuta under threat: 355 arrests and a new wave of the migration crisis between Morocco and Spain ![Moroccan border guards in yellow vests patrol the border zone with Spain in Ceuta](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/18/seuta-arresty-migracionnyj-krizis-2026/seuta-arresty-migracionnyj-krizis-2026-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Moroccan authorities arrested 355 people (294 migrants and 61 Moroccan citizens) for attempting to storm Ceuta. - Spain reinforced border forces in Ceuta following social media calls to cross the border on August 15. - There is a discrepancy in data: Reuters reports 111 arrests, while Medi 1 TV reports 355. - The incident occurred two weeks after a massive wave of migrants on July 30, in which more than 100 people died. - The crisis has once again exacerbated the sovereignty dispute between Madrid and Rabat. On August 18, 2026, the situation on Europe's western border intensified once again. Moroccan authorities carried out a large-scale operation to prevent a mass illegal crossing of the border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Over the weekend of August 15–16, Moroccan security forces arrested at least 355 people in the area of the border town of Fnideq. The operation was conducted in response to calls on social media for a mass border storming scheduled for August 15. ### Scale of arrests and use of force According to official data obtained from the state television channel Medi 1 TV, among those detained are 294 migrants from Sub-Saharan African countries and 61 Moroccan citizens. Moroccan authorities accuse the latter of organizing and facilitating illegal border crossings. Police were forced to use tear gas to disperse crowds gathered on the hills adjacent to the border fence. Spain, for its part, was forced to increase its presence in Ceuta, sending additional battalions of soldiers and hundreds of police officers to secure the security perimeter. ### Contradictory data During fact-checking, a significant discrepancy was revealed in the figures cited by different sources. The Moroccan state TV channel Medi 1 TV reports the detention of 355 people (294 migrants and 61 Moroccan citizens). At the same time, Reuters, citing a source in the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, cites a figure of 111 arrested individuals (109 migrants and 2 Moroccan citizens). This difference may be due to the fact that Reuters data reflects the situation at early morning or in a specific sector of Fnideq, whereas Medi 1 TV data represents the final summary of the entire operation over the weekend. In this article, we proceed from the more complete version confirmed by the official channel of Rabat. ### Echo of the tragedy of July 30 Current events are taking place against the backdrop of a severe crisis that began just two weeks ago. On July 30, 2026, more than 72,000 people crossed the border of Ceuta, leading to a collapse of the city's infrastructure. According to the latest data, at least 100 people died as a result of the crush and attempts to cross the barriers. In response to that incident, Spain has already established a maritime barrier and sent more than 500 additional police officers to the enclave. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that there are still about 5,000 migrants in Ceuta, and the government intends to deport those who do not have the right to stay, returning them to Morocco. ### Diplomatic deadlock and the question of sovereignty The migration crisis has once again brought to the forefront the long-standing territorial dispute between Madrid and Rabat. Since gaining independence in 1956, Morocco has claimed sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla. Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdelatif Ouahbi stated on August 11 that Rabat has repeatedly raised this issue and is ready for negotiations. However, Spain's position remains unchanged: Defense Minister Margarita Robles categorically rejected any doubts, stating that these territories belong to Spain and are "not subject to tampering." The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country's territorial integrity is not a subject for discussion. ### 2021 scenario: revenge or control? The situation recalls the events of 2021, when more than 8,000 people stormed Ceuta. At that time, many analysts considered this Morocco's revenge for Spain's decision to allow the treatment of the Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali. Although Morocco officially denies using the migration issue as a tool of pressure, the country's Ministry of Interior stated that it is monitoring calls on the internet from "unidentified sources" and warning organizers of responsibility. The authorities of Rabat insist that their actions are aimed solely at maintaining order and preventing tragedies. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: How many people were arrested in Ceuta this weekend? **A:** According to the Moroccan TV channel Medi 1 TV, 355 people were arrested. Reuters reported 111 arrests, which is likely an interim figure. ### Q: Why did the situation on the border escalate? **A:** Calls for a mass border crossing on August 15 appeared on social media, forcing both sides to strengthen security measures. ### Q: What is Spain's position on the sovereignty issue? **A:** Spain insists that Ceuta and Melilla are an integral part of the country and are not open for discussion.