Moroccan Army Detains 87,000 Undocumented Migrants in 2023
The Moroccan army, along with law enforcement authorities, detained approximately 87,000 undocumented migrants in 2023. The General Command of the Moroccan army reported on Wednesday that the majority of these migrants hailed from sub-Saharan Africa. This operation is part of Morocco’s ongoing efforts to secure its borders and maritime areas, as well as to address cross-border threats.
In addition to the arrests, the Moroccan army also provided rescue and assistance to over 22,000 migrants found in distress in makeshift boats within Moroccan territorial waters this year. Morocco’s strategic position has made it a key transit country for African migrants seeking better living conditions in Europe.
Significantly, the army intercepted over 1,100 migrants attempting to reach the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in northern Morocco on New Year’s Eve. Furthermore, a new migration route via the West African Atlantic coasts toward the Spanish Canary Islands has seen an uptick in migrant traffic. According to the Spanish Commission for Refugees, arrivals to the islands surged by 140% in 2023 compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing trend of this migration route.
