Moroccan security forces detained more than 100 migrants attempting to cross into the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta on Saturday, according to security sources cited by Spanish media and Reuters. The detentions took place around the town of Fnideq, about 3 km from the border, and involved individuals primarily from sub‑Saharan Africa. Moroccan police used tear gas to disperse groups gathered on nearby hills, and the government said it was monitoring social‑media posts calling for a mass crossing.

Spain has increased its security presence, deploying more than 1,500 officers to patrol the area and installing a metal fence and a floating barrier after a previous influx in which roughly 78,000 migrants arrived by sea in a matter of hours, resulting in 100 deaths, according to the city’s mayor. Moroccan authorities also deployed army officers, navy speedboats and drones to the border.

Italy suspended its participation in the Schengen free‑movement agreement with Spain and introduced border checks on arrivals from Spain, a move supported by Finland, Denmark and the Czech Republic, which called for a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership. Spain responded that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area and that migrants had not reached the mainland, noting that it had also introduced its own border controls after Italy refused to drop them.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his country was carefully controlling arrivals and denied any intent to wage a “battle” against Spain, adding that the problem originated in Morocco. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Ceuta’s status outside Schengen meant migrants could not travel to other European countries and urged Italy to reverse its border measures.

The incident has renewed diplomatic tension between EU members over border management, but no immediate escalation has been reported.