Spain’s two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla, are often used as entry points into Europe for African migrants, who either climb over their border fences or try to swim along the coast.
A decade ago, the Investigative Project published a report about the fertile grounds for jihad recruitment in Ceuta. The area had virtually “nonexistent” institutional control, despite being rife with tensions relating to poverty and marginalization; tensions often viewed by Muslims as manifestations of the battle between Christianity versus Islam. Salafists then began inspiring youth to ambush police cars deemed to be the “Christian power and occupation”; amid the stoning, shouts about the “intifada of Ceuta” rang out.
The Investigative Project report rightly predicted that the situation in Ceuta could become a great facilitator of “jihadist recruitment.” Skirmishes continued; in March 2015, Spanish authorities dismantled a jihadist cell in Ceuta, which was reportedly ready to attack Spain and possibly other targets in Europe. Just last month, authorities dismantled an Islamic State recruitment cell in Ceuta. Now:
At least 800 sub-Saharan African migrants tried to cross into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco
The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. While some human rights groups decry the rejection of refugees — while ignoring the explosion of abuses committed against European citizens by Muslim refugees — Spain remains dedicated to its homeland security:
Spain insists it has the right to defend the territories and the 170,000 Spaniards living in them — notably against the threat of Islamic extremists crossing the border from Morocco.
“Hundreds of migrants try to storm border into Spain’s enclave of Ceuta”, by Jose Antonio Sempere, Reuters, January 1, 2017:
At least 800 sub-Saharan African migrants tried to cross into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Sunday by storming a border fence, though most were eventually turned back, the Spanish and Moroccan governments said.
Dozens of migrants made it to the top of the six-metre barbed wire fence early on Sunday before being lifted down by cranes, footage from local TV station Faro TV showed.
Spain said about 1,100 migrants attempted the crossing. Only two were allowed into Ceuta to be taken to hospital while the rest were returned to Morocco, the Spanish government said in a statement.
Five Spanish police and 50 from Morocco were injured, the government added, after migrants used rocks and metal bars to try and break through gates to access the fence and clashed with authorities.
Morocco’s interior ministry reported that some 800 migrants had tried to storm the enclave, and that all had been arrested. It said 10 members of its security forces were seriously wounded.
“From now on those making such attempts will be presented before the competent judicial authorities who will decree their expulsion from the kingdom (of Morocco) or heavier penalties, according the gravity of the act,” the ministry said in a statement.
Spain’s two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla, are often used as entry points into Europe for African migrants, who either climb over their border fences or try to swim along the coast.
Spain has drawn criticism from human rights groups for allowing some migrants to be immediately turned back to Morocco in such incidents. They argue that skipping the lengthier deportation procedures deprives people of the opportunity to claim asylum.
In early December more than 400 sub-Saharan African migrants managed to force their way over the Ceuta border fence…..

Michael Copeland says
A commenter at Pamela Geller rightly points out that these are not migrants: they are invaders.
Confucius said, “Call things by their proper names”.
Now is our chance.
A Harris USA says
Here is the facts.. I have been to that part of the world.. Spain, in the days of Franco was protected from the invasion, today, it is on the front lines!! This is a desolate area, with guard stations, and lots of fencing. The Spanish guards who try to hold this small area are way out numbered. Franco had the right idea!!!! NO MUSLIMS PERIOD!!!
Yorkshire Kufir says
The enemy at the gates.
I wonder if the mainstream media will show film of this demonstration of love from the religion of permanent offense?
Jack HOLAN says
If not by fright then by Might.
Rosewood11 says
1) Gee, that kind of looks like a “wall” to me!!!
2) If you shoot them when they get to the top of the barbed wire, and throw them back across to the outside, sooner or later, they’ll get the message, or run out of “migrants,”
Angemon says
Asylum denied on the grounds they are breaking the law in two countries.
Angemon says
Oh, and Morocco is not a war zone – they can have their asylum there. If they don’t want to, it should be assumed they’re economic “migrants”.
Carolyne says
I have been to Ceuta and the difference one sees leaving Ceuta and crossing over to Morocco is striking. In Morocco there are gangs of thugs hanging out on street corners just waiting to hijack a car. I bought something from a vendor in the Casbah there and he refused to give me my change. I told him I could call for the police in several languages. Which did he prefer. A crowd gathered demanding he give me my money. He did. A bunch of dishonest, filthy barbarians.