MADRID: Dozens of migrants tried to breach the border between Morocco and the Spanish metropolis of Melilla on Friday, the primary such incursion since Spain and Morocco mended diplomatic relations final month.
A spokesperson for the Spanish authorities's workplace in Melilla mentioned about 400 folks tried to enter the North African metropolis however many had been stopped by Spanish Civil Guard police and Moroccan forces on the opposite facet of a border fence.
Those that succeeded in crossing went to an area migrant centre, the place authorities had been evaluating their circumstances.
The spokesperson, who couldn't be recognized by title in line with authorities guidelines, mentioned a number of hundred folks remained gathered on the Moroccan facet.
Individuals fleeing poverty and violence generally make mass makes an attempt to achieve Melilla and the opposite Spanish territory on the North African coast, Ceuta, as a springboard to continental Europe.
Spain usually depends on Morocco to maintain migrants away from the border.
Firstly of March, greater than 3,500 folks tried to scale the 6-metre barrier that perimeters Melilla, and almost 1,000 making it throughout, in accordance with Spanish authorities.
Friday's crossings had been the primary try since relations between Spain and Morocco improved in March after a year-long dispute centred on the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976.
Morocco loosened its controls round Ceuta final yr, permitting 1000's of migrants to cross into Spain.
The transfer was considered as retaliation for Spain's determination to permit the chief of Western Sahara's pro-independence motion to be handled for COVID-19 at a Spanish hospital.
Tensions between the 2 international locations started to thaw earlier this yr after Spain backed Morocco's plan to grant extra autonomy to Western Sahara, the place activists are in search of full independence.
A spokesperson for the Spanish authorities's workplace in Melilla mentioned about 400 folks tried to enter the North African metropolis however many had been stopped by Spanish Civil Guard police and Moroccan forces on the opposite facet of a border fence.
Those that succeeded in crossing went to an area migrant centre, the place authorities had been evaluating their circumstances.
The spokesperson, who couldn't be recognized by title in line with authorities guidelines, mentioned a number of hundred folks remained gathered on the Moroccan facet.
Individuals fleeing poverty and violence generally make mass makes an attempt to achieve Melilla and the opposite Spanish territory on the North African coast, Ceuta, as a springboard to continental Europe.
Spain usually depends on Morocco to maintain migrants away from the border.
Firstly of March, greater than 3,500 folks tried to scale the 6-metre barrier that perimeters Melilla, and almost 1,000 making it throughout, in accordance with Spanish authorities.
Friday's crossings had been the primary try since relations between Spain and Morocco improved in March after a year-long dispute centred on the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976.
Morocco loosened its controls round Ceuta final yr, permitting 1000's of migrants to cross into Spain.
The transfer was considered as retaliation for Spain's determination to permit the chief of Western Sahara's pro-independence motion to be handled for COVID-19 at a Spanish hospital.
Tensions between the 2 international locations started to thaw earlier this yr after Spain backed Morocco's plan to grant extra autonomy to Western Sahara, the place activists are in search of full independence.
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