Despite the strengthening of security measures in Fnideq, on the eve of the date of September 30, announced as a potential new wave of migration towards the occupied enclave of Sebta, a group of 16 migrants, including three minors, managed to reach the swimming enclave in the last few hours.
According to Spanish medical and police sources, relayed by the EFE press agency, twelve of these people, including a minor, managed to cross the border on Sunday, in two separate groups. The latter swam via the border dike of “ Tarajal » without being detected by Moroccan and Spanish security forces. According to these same sources, the twelve migrants were in good health at the time of their arrival.
Earlier this morning, another group of four people, including at least two minors, also reached El Sarchal beach in Sebta. Among them, two were equipped with neoprene wetsuits, while the other two simply wore swimsuits. The four migrants told the Spanish news agency that they were from Algeria and were all in good physical condition.
This incident occurs in a climate of growing tensions, marked by fear of a repeat of the events of September 15, when calls for mass migration circulated on social networks.
Cristina Pérez, delegate of the Spanish government of the occupied president of Sebta, assured in a statement to journalists that “ despite the alert concerning September 30, and the possibility of a massive entry of migrants encouraged by social networks, everything is under control thanks to the presence of a sufficient number of security forces“. She also clarified that reinforcements had been deployed, and although she could not go into details for security reasons, the forces present are ready to react to any attempted crossing, whether on land or at sea.
« Security forces and organizations are ready. Reinforcements have arrived. I can’t be too explicit for security reasons, but they are prepared to respond to incidents in the area or in the waters, or elsewhere“, she explained, before concluding: “ They will respond if necessary, but we hope this is not the case« .
At the same time, Pérez insisted on the need to maintain cooperation with Morocco, as was the case during the events of September 15, stressing the importance of “ repeat this close relationship scenario if similar attempts occur again« .
