As Spanish authorities grapple with the aftermath of last week's mass crossing of thousands of migrants, calls for a new incursion in mid-August are already circulating on social media.
The European Union on Tuesday offered urgent assistance to Spain to reinforce the border in Ceuta, as authorities investigate whether criminals or suspected jihadists exploited last week's chaotic mass crossing to enter European territory. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the autonomous city warns of new calls for a mass entry on August 15.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated after an emergency meeting of EU ministers in Brussels that aid, including urgent financial support, has been offered. Brunner said the unprecedented crossing was fueled by criminal smuggling networks and disinformation spread on social media.
According to Spanish officials, approximately 72,000 people entered Ceuta from Morocco, of whom about 70,000 have returned, leaving roughly 2,000 people in the small territory. Reception centers are overwhelmed, and authorities are processing 862 unaccompanied minors who, under Spanish law, cannot be immediately returned.
Spain's National Police and Civil Guard are reviewing footage of the crossings and screening those who remained in the enclave against criminal and counter-terrorism databases, as reported by El Confidencial, citing sources from the Ministry of the Interior. The newspaper notes that authorities are searching for known criminals and potential jihadists who may have infiltrated among the tens of thousands who crossed the border.
Concern is heightened by Ceuta's proximity to the Moroccan border town of Fnideq (Castillejos), which has been linked to previous investigations into jihadist recruitment. Authorities have in the past dismantled extremist cells operating across the Ceuta-Fnideq border area, while hundreds of people from northern Morocco traveled to Syria and Iraq in the mid-2010s to join ISIS and other terrorist groups.
A report by the organization Golden Owl Intelligence documented an extensive online campaign that preceded the mass crossing. For weeks, misinterpretations of Spanish immigration law and practical information about routes, gathering points, and recommended crossing times spread on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The content is estimated to have generated over 11 million potential impressions.
The campaign accelerated after Spain's Supreme Court issued a ruling on July 8, 2026, regarding the immediate return of migrants intercepted at sea near Ceuta and Melilla. Simplified and misleading interpretations of that decision, combined with confusion over Spain's regularization policy, were presented online as proof that people arriving on Spanish territory would be allowed to stay and eventually gain legal status.
The crisis is also deepening the rift between Spain and Morocco. Rachid El Khalfi, spokesperson for Morocco's Ministry of the Interior, denied that Morocco deliberately orchestrated the crossing, blaming online disinformation, human trafficking networks, and distorted interpretations of Spanish legal and administrative developments for the migrant wave.
However, Juan Jesus Vivas Lara, president of the autonomous city of Ceuta, holds a very different view. "Morocco has shown us it is not reliable. There is no alternative but to take all necessary measures to ensure this cannot happen again," Vivas told El País. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares defended Rabat's response, saying Moroccan authorities quickly provided police support and helped return most of those who crossed.
As authorities still grapple with the aftermath, Ceuta spokesperson Alejandro Ramírez warned La Repubblica about new calls circulating on social media. "Although these are just rumors, we have reported to the relevant authorities numerous groups on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp calling for a new jump," Ramírez said, referring to announcements of a new mass entry for August 15, 2026.
Researcher Zineb Riboua of the Hudson Institute warns that the crisis also opens space for Islamist movements seeking to undermine trust in the Moroccan government ahead of national elections in September. According to her, Islamists have for years portrayed the monarchy as overly secular and pro-Western, while simultaneously promoting an idealized image of Europe as a place where prosperity and legal status can be easily achieved.
