Morocco: Navy intercepts two canoes carrying 124 Sub-Saharan migrants; FAR units intercepted some 87,000 would-be irregular migrants in 2023

Two Coast Guard vessels and a High-Seas Patrol boat of the Royal Navy successfully intercepted two canoes carrying a total of 124 Sub-Saharan migrants, including 8 minors. The operation, part of national waters monitoring, took place at approximately 75 km west of the Southern city of Dakhla.

According to a statement from the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, the intercepted canoes were en route to the Canary Islands. The Navy units acted swiftly to apprehend the vessels and ensure the safety of those on board.

Medical care was provided onboard by the Navy units to the intercepted individuals. The would-be immigrants were transported to the port of Dakhla and were handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie to undergo standard administrative procedures, the statement said.

Another statement by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces said that FAR units, in cooperation with law enforcement authorities, intercepted some 87,000 would-be irregular migrants in 2023, the majority of whom being of sub-Saharan origin.

Intensified surveillance and control of waters under national jurisdiction led, over the past year, to providing rescue and necessary assistance to over 22,000 would-be irregular migrants often found aboard makeshift nautical means in distress, the statement said.

These interception operations are part of efforts to monitor the Kingdom’s borders and maritime areas and combat cross-border threats.