Algeria intensifies crackdown on irregular migration and smuggling networks

Algerian authorities are intensifying efforts to combat irregular migration and human smuggling networks along the country's coastline. During a meeting on August 16, Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud issued directives to strengthen coordination between services and increase surveillance, particularly during the summer season.

The crackdown aims to reduce the activity of smuggling networks and curb various forms of organized clandestine crossings. This move follows increased migratory pressure in the Western Mediterranean, including recent tensions surrounding the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

In Morocco, authorities reported intercepting nearly 300 people on August 15 and 16 during attempts to reach Ceuta, including 61 individuals suspected of facilitating the crossings. These events occur amidst broader regional migration trends, with reports indicating significant numbers of people attempting to reach Spain via North African routes.