Spanish authorities reinforce civil guard contingent in Ceuta and Melilla

The Spanish government has stepped up its Civil Guard contingent in Ceuta and Melilla following calls on social media for migrants to try to break into the kingdom. It's from sb.by.

According to TASS, an additional 144 law enforcement officers were sent to Ceuta, about 60 to Melilla. Authorities have been tracking reports for weeks calling for Spanish cities to be stormed on September 23, when Morocco holds a general election for the lower house of parliament.

In social networks claimed that because of the elections, the Moroccan authorities will weaken border control. However, the Civil Guard denies this: Rabat, by contrast, has been stepping up security on its side of the border for several days.

“The Moroccan gendarmerie is aware of these calls and has deployed its personnel to the borders with Ceuta and Melilla,” the sources said. In addition, in Fnidek, they have water cannons ready to deter potential mass breakthroughs.

In late July, tens of thousands of illegal migrants were able to reach Ceuta by swimming and wading, bypassing the breakwater separating the city from Morocco. Because of the crisis, Madrid has deployed the military to help provide security. Authorities estimate that as many as 80,000 people may have entered the city, but the vast majority are believed to have already returned to Morocco.

In Ceuta, protesters against humanitarian action for migrants threw stones at the car of a local deputy