Spain and Morocco are arming themselves on the Ceuta border

Spain and Morocco have each prepared with large numbers for a possible new massive border crossing in Ceuta. Calls have been circulating on social networks for days to try to get into the Spanish exclave in northern Morocco again on August 15th.

The messages distributed online state, among other things, that the border of Ceuta will "be open" on August 15th - a public holiday in Spain.

Scenes should not repeat themselves

From the point of view of the Spanish and Moroccan authorities, the scenes of July 30th and 31st should under no circumstances be repeated. A good two weeks ago, more than 70,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta, and more than 80 people died trying to cross the border - most of them drowned.

There is a noticeably high police presence on Ceuta's streets. According to Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the contingent of National Police officers has been increased to almost 900 - almost 300 more than on July 30.

Military brought in from vacation

In addition to local police forces, more than 700 Guardia Civil security forces are also deployed in Ceuta, and military members have been ordered back from vacation. Demonstrative control can also be seen on the other side of the border. The border town of Fnideq has been transformed into a security zone.

Hundreds of security forces are deployed and military troops have also been called in. Morocco has reinforced wire and barbed wire fences. Boats are patrolling near the shore and vehicles with water cannons have arrived at the border. Personal checks are also carried out regularly on roads and access areas to Fnideq.

Thousands of people, including many children and young people, but also people from conflict zones, are still waiting in Ceuta for a good two weeks since the start of the migration crisis, looking for political asylum. The numbers are still significantly different. While the Spanish government assumes around 5,000 people, the regional president of Ceuta speaks of up to 12,000.