ByMATHILDA HELLER

AUGUST 3, 2026 15:36

The Moroccan Interior Ministry has verified an internet-based effort that spread false claims urging individuals to try reaching Ceuta.

The confirmation follows an event last Thursday when over 50,000 people entered Ceuta via land and sea routes in a record wave. Spanish officials noted that more than 48,000 returned to Morocco inside two days, with additional returns over the weekend.

Ministry Spokesperson Rachid Khalfi addressed the matter Sunday evening and stated the crossings stemmed not from sudden or unplanned causes but from several combined elements.

He pointed to heavy use of online platforms, spread of inaccurate details, involvement of smuggling groups, and mistaken readings of rules and procedures.

Khalfi explained these elements fostered a misleading view that reaching European soil carried no legal risks and that entry points stood open.

He added that prosecutors have launched probes into the background of the incidents to find those behind them and apply fitting legal measures.

Timeline of the organized online effort

Jose Maria Gil Garre, Co-Director of the International Security Observatory, issued a 70-page study Sunday on the false information drive that fueled the Ceuta push.

Gil traced the effort back to early July on social platforms from accounts based in Algeria, Tunisia, France and some from the US.

He offered a complete timeline of the steps leading to the border event.

Gil noted the opening stage started July 8, 2026, after a Spanish Supreme Court decision on returns of migrants stopped at sea bound for Ceuta and Melilla. In following days simplified versions of the ruling spread, framing it as assurance of lasting stay in Spain.

From July 8 to July 15 the story spread further on social sites and chat apps. Collected proof showed rising numbers of matching posts, often with short videos, photos and notes that built the sense of an easy chance to enter Spanish areas.

By mid-July Gil saw signs of a move from talk to action. People began arriving in the Fnideq area from other Moroccan cities while chats in Facebook groups and messaging channels grew busier with details on paths, times and conditions.

Around July 25 content changed in tone. Maps appeared showing swim routes from Moroccan shores to Ceuta and Melilla along with notes on distances, start points and basic tips.

On July 27 online activity rose sharply. Facebook groups saw more posts on Ceuta access while videos, photos and prep messages spread faster. TikTok and similar sites also posted more material, widening the reach.

On July 28 the probe found a public chat group named Hijma Kiraib Setba, run from an Algerian number, that shared calls to head for Ceuta.

July 29 and 30 marked peak activity. Posts grew frequent and gave exact times, spots, gear lists and travel notes.

The night of July 30-31 saw the largest move, with crowds attempting entry into Spanish zones near Ceuta.

Gil stated exact message counts could not be fixed without platform data, yet the drive likely produced one to five million views through groups totaling over 250,000 members and accounts reaching millions.

Two Moroccan TikTok accounts, haragaa_ceuta1 and haragama00, led with more than 400,000 followers combined.

Next came two Algerian WhatsApp groups for coordination and details, then three Moroccan Instagram accounts and one Moroccan Facebook page, each with tens of thousands of followers.

The study tallied over 11 million possible views from video plays, group members, posts, comments and other activity in the period.

The report found the online side played a key part in spreading stories, sharing details and guiding movements, highlighting social media influence on real-world actions.