Morocco Stops 45,000 Migrants from Crossing to Europe in 2024

File photo of a police officer standing near a Moroccan national flag near the main stadium during preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup in Agadir, December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
File photo of a police officer standing near a Moroccan national flag near the main stadium during preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup in Agadir, December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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Morocco Stops 45,000 Migrants from Crossing to Europe in 2024

File photo of a police officer standing near a Moroccan national flag near the main stadium during preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup in Agadir, December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
File photo of a police officer standing near a Moroccan national flag near the main stadium during preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup in Agadir, December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Morocco has stopped 45,015 people from illegally migrating to Europe since January and busted 177 migrant trafficking gangs, Morocco's state news agency MAP reported on Friday, citing interior ministry data.

Last year, Morocco stopped 75,184 people from illegally crossing to Europe, up 6% from a year earlier, government data showed.

The Moroccan navy has also rescued 10,859 migrants at sea so far this year, MAP said, citing the interior ministry data.

"In 2024, Morocco continues to face an increasing migratory pressure as a direct outcome of the prevailing instability in the Sahel region and porous borders," it quoted the ministry as saying.



Israeli Army Says Intercepts Missile Fired from Yemen

Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on Al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. EPA/OSAMAH YAHYA
Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on Al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. EPA/OSAMAH YAHYA
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Israeli Army Says Intercepts Missile Fired from Yemen

Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on Al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. EPA/OSAMAH YAHYA
Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on Al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. EPA/OSAMAH YAHYA

The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen on Sunday after it activated air raid sirens across multiple areas of the country.

"Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (air force) prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the military said in a statement.

The Iran-backed Houthis have regularly fired missiles at Israel since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023, following an attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

The Houthis, who have also targeted shipping vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since the Gaza war began, say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The militias had paused their campaign during the weeks-long truce in Gaza, which ended on March 18 when Israel resumed its bombardment of the Palestinian territory.