Morocco has intercepted 45,015 individuals attempting to illegally migrate to Europe since January 2024, alongside dismantling 177 smuggling gangs, as reported by the state news agency MAP. The Moroccan navy has rescued 10,859 migrants at sea this year, reflecting ongoing migratory pressures due to instability in the Sahel region and porous borders. Last year, Morocco apprehended 75,184 migrants, marking a 6% increase from 2022. The country remains a critical launch point for African migrants seeking to reach Europe through various routes, including the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Following a diplomatic resolution with Spain in 2022, cooperation between the two nations on migration issues has improved, yet recent events saw hundreds of migrants swim to Ceuta amidst thick fog. Tighter surveillance of Morocco’s northern borders has resulted in more individuals attempting the longer and riskier Atlantic route to the Canary Islands.