Online Activity Precedes Mass Migration to Ceuta
In the wake of a Spanish Supreme Court decision that altered the processing of migrants arriving in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla by sea, a notable surge in migratory attempts toward Ceuta occurred. The ruling, issued on July 29, stipulated that individuals swimming into Ceuta, thereby not physically crossing the land border fence, were subject to more rigorous legal procedures before potential deportation to Morocco. This judicial development was subsequently interpreted and disseminated online as an open invitation, leading to a significant increase in people heading towards the enclave.
Reports indicate that nearly 60,000 individuals converged on Ceuta shortly after the court's decision. New online accounts and pages emerged, asserting that Spain had effectively 'opened the way' for sea arrivals and that deportations were no longer feasible. Various smuggling networks operating across Morocco, Africa, and Algeria reportedly leveraged these claims, employing several digital channels to amplify the message.
Digital Mobilization Strategies
The social media campaign was multifaceted, utilizing various platforms and tactics. Personal accounts, established as early as June, consistently posted calls for people to cross into Ceuta by sea. These accounts often directed followers to WhatsApp groups, which were reportedly used to organize collective travel and provide updates on conditions for young people already in Ceuta.
A prominent Facebook page, 'Hagra sueta 26,' with approximately 38,000 followers, and an Instagram presence boasting 80,000 followers, showcased images and videos of individuals who had successfully made the crossing. Local Facebook groups, such as 'haraga maroc,' which has 12,000 members and explicitly mentions 'migration to Spain' in its description, played a role in encouraging gatherings and providing practical information regarding routes to Ceuta.
Content observed on these platforms frequently promoted a vision of opportunity in Europe, including prospects for employment or marriage in Spain or other European nations. Several accounts urged group travel, some specified assembly and departure points within Morocco, and others shared success stories, encouraging direct contact for those seeking a safe passage to Ceuta.
The various digital channels, though seemingly uncoordinated in a centralized manner, collectively fostered a significant movement of people. This activity spurred a market for swimming and diving equipment, as well as inflatable boats, with vendors advertising such items. Users also shared advice on optimal launch points along the Moroccan coast, basing their recommendations on their interpretation of the court ruling. The culmination of these efforts was a mass border crossing that peaked on July 28 and continued in the subsequent days.
Intelligence Reports and Disinformation
According to an intelligence report cited by the Spanish newspaper La Razon, social media accounts and groups spanning Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France, and the United States circulated 'mobilisation messages.' These messages included logistical information, routes to Ceuta, and advice on circumventing the maritime barrier at Tarajal. The report suggested that the campaign was not centrally organized but rather evolved through various groups and individuals contributing to content creation, amplification, resharing, and coordination.
Compared to previous instances of social media being used for irregular migration and mass border crossings, this campaign reportedly exhibited closer integration across platforms, a more extensive use of video content, and a faster dissemination of practical information.
A particularly impactful image during this period was that of Farah, a young Moroccan woman from Larache, who reportedly swam over 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Fnideq to Ribera Beach in Ceuta. Unlike typical images of exhausted male migrants, Farah was photographed in a swimsuit, smiling and gesturing a victory sign, an image that quickly gained widespread attention.
The campaign also saw the spread of fabricated and AI-generated material. A notable example was a video depicting a Moroccan man swimming with exceptional skill, presented as him successfully crossing to Ceuta. This video garnered calls for his admission to Spain and even suggestions for his inclusion in the national Olympic team. However, the clip was later revealed to have been filmed in El Jadida, western Morocco, where the individual was documenting a local swim, and he subsequently posted videos clarifying that the footage had been taken out of context and denying any migratory attempt.
Conversely, photographs of missing young men also circulated on Facebook in Fnideq and other Moroccan platforms. These posts indicated that the individuals had set out for Ceuta and had not been seen for days, causing alarm among families and prompting appeals for search efforts. Spanish authorities later reported recovering at least 67 bodies, confirming multiple drownings.
Political Repercussions and International Context
Moroccan rights organizations publicly criticized the mass flight of young people towards Ceuta, attributing responsibility to the government. Concurrently, a far-right network on X utilized footage of trucks transporting young individuals towards the Ceuta border, with visible security and military personnel nearby. These accounts presented the footage as evidence of Moroccan 'consent' and official protection for the migrants, accusing Morocco—with alleged US backing—of complicity. They further asserted that this was a retaliatory measure against Spain's opposition to Israel's military actions in Gaza, which the Spanish prime minister characterized as genocide, and Spain's refusal to align with the US in its stance against Iran, specifically declining US use of jointly operated bases in southern Spain for military operations targeting Tehran.
Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, also commented on the situation via X, stating: “Spain, which never misses an opportunity to lecture Israel, has declared a state of emergency in Ceuta because of the crisis of its migration policy. Perhaps before it continues to lecture us, it is time for it to explain to the world why it still holds colonial enclaves in Africa.” This incident unfolded amidst ongoing tensions between Morocco and Spain concerning the status of Ceuta and Melilla.