Moroccan Agents Cross into Spanish Territory to Arrest Migrants at Melilla Border

Moroccan agents left the territory of the kingdom to arrest migrants on the other side of the border in Melilla. "I was surprised to see Moroccan police on the Spanish side of the fence, assaulting and pushing back migrants. This is a first since I’ve been working in Melilla for four years," explains the photojournalist from Público, Javier Bernardo, who witnessed the events. Other Moroccan agents were seen retrieving migrants handed over by Spanish agents.

To read: Migrant Clash at Melilla Border Leaves Two Moroccan Police Dead, Multiple Casualties

According to sources from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, the operation was carried out in accordance with the texts in force, failing to specify whether the Moroccan agents had authorization to enter Spanish territory. These are "hot returns," the Interior assures. However, several legal experts find the presence of Moroccan troops on Spanish soil abnormal. "This can only happen in an exceptional case," explained lawyer Andrés García Berrio. For his part, Daniel Amelang, a lawyer for the Legal Network, considers this operation "irregular".

To read: Spain Praises Morocco’s ’Extraordinary Cooperation’ in Stopping Migrant Surge at Melilla Border

Of the 2,000 migrants who tried to jump the fence in Melilla, 500 managed to cross the fence and 133 were able to enter the city. Moroccan authorities estimate the number of migrants killed in this invasion at 23. They died of suffocation or from falling off the nearly 10-meter-high fence. The President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez, praised the collaboration between the Moroccan and Spanish forces to repel these migrants.

To read: Deadly Clashes at Melilla Border: 18 Migrants Killed, Dozens Injured in Morocco

For their part, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) and the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras denounced the "extreme violence" shown by both migrants and Spanish and Moroccan agents. They are calling for an independent investigation to determine responsibilities.