RABAT, August 7. /TASS/. Morocco’s defense forces and police deployed to the vicinity of the autonomous city of Ceuta on the Mediterranean coast have been put on high alert amid calls for another massive attempt to cross into Ceuta, The Maghreb Times reported.

According to its sources in local law enforcement agencies, various law enforcement structures were put on high alert in the city of Findeq located some five kilometers from Ceuta and its environs. The sources said that these measures were taken after posts began circulating on social media about preparations for a new mass attempt to illegally cross the border with Ceuta set to take place on August 15.

As security services said, the police have been instructed to "crack down harshly on anyone caught inciting illegal migration or linked to criminal human trafficking networks." In addition, as confirmed by the same sources, "surveillance has been stepped up along the coastline and on roads leading to border areas." The Moroccan authorities stressed that these measures "are aimed at protecting human lives, maintaining public order, and combating the exploitation of young people by illegal migration and human trafficking networks."

Earlier, numerous anonymous posts surfaced on social media calling for a new wave of mass migration and the crossing of the border with Ceuta by large groups of illegal migrants. Some posts contained information about emigrating to Spain and opportunities to find jobs there. In this regard, Moroccan authorities have once again warned that promoting such calls or inciting illegal migration is punishable under the country’s laws.

Tens of thousands of migrants managed to reach Spain’s Ceuta by swimming or walking around the breakwater separating the city from Morocco in late July. According to the Spanish side, from 50,000 to 60,000 migrant have crossed into Ceuta in recent days. Meanwhile, the Moroccan interior ministry said that around 40,000 people have tries to illegally reach Ceuta, and 1,135 others - Melilla. It also said that eleven people died while trying to cross the border with Ceuta, while the Spanish government reported at least 72 fatalities.