The Ceuta border faces the coming days with a reinforced device in light of the possibility of a new attempt at mass entry from Morocco. The Ministry of Defense has ordered the cancellation of military personnel permits deployed in the autonomous city, while the Civil Guard has temporarily suspended the granting of new permits, vacations, and licenses to its agents assigned in Ceuta and Melilla.
The measures respond to new calls disseminated through social media to attempt to cross the border on August 15. According to known information, the CNI considers these calls credible and has conveyed this assessment to the agencies responsible for border security. This has led to reinforcing the availability of the forces already deployed in the two autonomous cities.
Defense and Civil Guard
The General Command of Ceuta communicated the cancellation of permits for military personnel deployed in the city, with exceptions linked to service needs. The measure affects the units participating in the device and seeks to guarantee maximum operational capacity during the coming days.
Therefore, it is not a new deployment of units from the Peninsula, but rather to keep available the military already assigned in Ceuta. The decision comes after intelligence services have deemed the calls circulating on social media for a new crossing attempt credible.
The Civil Guard has adopted a similar measure. The General Directorate has temporarily suspended the granting of new permits, vacations, and licenses for agents assigned in Ceuta and Melilla. Permits that had already been granted are not affected by the decision.
The very operational situation of the border is behind the decision. The Civil Guard has acknowledged that the vacation period had reduced the available forces and has deemed it necessary to recover operational capacity in light of the new scenario.
The restriction adds to other measures adopted during the migratory crisis of recent weeks, in which the pressure on the Ceuta border forced an increase in the presence of the State Security Forces and Corps.
August 15, a marked date on social media
The new scenario has a specific date: Saturday, August 15. On social media, messages have circulated again calling for another massive attempt to enter Ceuta, after the episode recorded at the end of July.
The existence of these calls is confirmed and has been enough for security officials to adopt preventive measures. What cannot be taken for granted is that the attempt will ultimately take place nor what its magnitude would be.
August 15 also coincides with one of the main traffic operations of the summer. The General Directorate of Traffic has scheduled a special device between 1:00 PM on Friday, August 14, and 12:00 AM on Sunday, August 16.