More than 850 African migrants have cleared the border fence of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta since Friday, amid trade disputes between Morocco and the European Union. Early Monday morning up to 700 mostly Sub-Saharan migrants attempted to cross the six-meter-high double fence into the north African enclave. Recent high winds were tripping alarms on the border fence, making it difficult to patrol, Spanish news agency EFE reported. On December 9, 2016, about 800 migrants attempted to cross the border with half making it across. Spain has controlled Ceuta since 1580 and Melilla since 1496, dating back to its war with the mainly Muslim Moors of northern Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 20, 2017 16:20 UTC