Authorities in Morocco have begun returning thousands of migrants to their home regions after a surge of attempted crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta triggered clashes and a major security operation.
People who were sent back from Ceuta gathered in the northern Moroccan town of Fnideq before being transported by bus to cities including Tangier, Tetouan and Casablanca. Some travellers were also directed toward railway connections to continue their journeys home.
A Moroccan official said the Fnideq border area had been secured following unrest in which groups of mostly young men confronted security forces while attempting to enter Spain by land and sea routes.
Spanish authorities said tens of thousands of people who had crossed into Ceuta in recent days had already returned to Morocco. The operation continued as buses carried groups of migrants away from the border region.
Among those returned was 32-year-old Rachid Aouchari, who said he regretted making the journey and wanted to reunite with his family.
The attempted crossings led to confrontations between migrants and security forces, with police using water cannons and tear gas to stop large groups approaching the border. Several people were arrested during the clashes.
The latest incident highlights ongoing migration pressures between Morocco and Spain, with Ceuta remaining a key entry point for people seeking access to Europe.