Morocco arrests nearly 300 migrants near Ceuta amid renewed crossing fears

Reporters saw migrants being detained in areas close to the frontier, while Moroccan media outlet Le360 reported that 294 people had been arrested. It said 46 were Moroccan nationals, with the remainder coming from sub-Saharan Africa.

“This is a routine operation aimed at preventing attempted irregular migration” towards Ceuta, an official with knowledge of the intervention told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The official did not give a figure for the number detained, but said the operation formed part of “extensive security arrangements deployed” to prevent further attempts to cross into the Spanish territory.

Forested areas around towns close to Ceuta and Melilla – Spain's other North African exclave, further east – have long served as gathering points for migrants hoping to reach European territory, particularly during the summer months.

Ceuta migrants caught between humanitarian disaster and diplomatic row

Migrants cite insecurity and lack of opportunities

Among those intercepted on Saturday was 22-year-old Abdessamad Dawad, from Sudan, who said conflict and insecurity had driven him to try to reach Europe.

He said he wanted “to come to Europe because my country of origin, Sudan, is plagued by problems and insecurity”.

Another Sudanese migrant, Chams Edine Yakoub, 25, said he had been searching for better economic prospects.

“In Ceuta, in Europe, people are better cared for,” he said.

“There's no work here. There's no money. There's no housing. There is absolutely nothing, I swear.”

Moroccan authorities had announced additional security measures this week amid fears of another large-scale attempt to enter Ceuta.

Officials said the measures were intended in part to counter a new wave of false information circulating online claiming that the border would be opened.

Moroccan news websites Le360 and Hespress reported that more than 60 people had been arrested in recent days on suspicion of encouraging or promoting irregular migration through social media.

Morocco steps up border security over fears of new mass crossing into Ceuta

Security stepped up after deadly mass crossing

The latest operation comes two weeks after around 72,000 people – most of them Moroccans – crossed into Ceuta over several days, overwhelming the small territory, which has a population of around 84,000.

The vast majority of those who entered have since been returned to Morocco.

The mass crossing was accompanied by chaotic scenes and a sharply disputed death toll.

Moroccan authorities said they recovered the bodies of 11 people who died during the events, while Spanish authorities put the number of deaths at at least 80.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights, a non-governmental organisation, has estimated that at least 141 people died.

Ceuta and Melilla form the European Union's only land borders with Africa and have for years been focal points for migrants attempting to reach Europe.

Moroccan and Spanish authorities have stepped up cooperation on migration and border security in recent years, but large-scale attempts to cross the fortified frontiers continue periodically.

(with newswires)