Morocco launches mass deportations to block Europe migration route

Morocco launches mass deportations to block Europe migration route Submitted by Kate McMahon on Thu, 05/21/2026 - 10:24 As the EU rolls out its new, stricter migration pact, Morocco intensifies crackdown and interceptions of sub-Saharan Africans at Europe’s behest A man looks on while standing with other sub-Saharan migrants at a tramway rail construction site in Morocco's city of Casablanca on 19 January 2023 (Fadel Senna/AFP) Off Since 14 April, Morocco has been conducting large-scale deportation operations targeting sub-Saharan Africans migrating to Europe, reportedly arresting over 100 per day, local sources told Middle East Eye. According to Moroccan human rights groups, around 800 people were detained during coordinated raids in the forests between Fnideq and Belyounech, in the northern tip of the North African state, where many were sheltering before attempting to reach Europe. The operation is still ongoing, with authorities then moving their focus to operations in and around Tangier.