Melilla border fence

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The Melilla border fence is a separation barrier between Morocco and the Spanish city of Melilla. Constructed by Spain, its stated purpose is to stop illegal immigration and smuggling.

The razor wire barrier cost Spain €33 million (US$35 million) to construct. It consists of 11 km (7 miles) of parallel 3 m (10 ft) high fences topped with barbed wire, with regular watchposts and a road running between them to accommodate police patrols. Underground cables connect spotlights, noise and movement sensors, and video cameras to a central control booth. Its height is currently being doubled to 6 m.

In October 2005, over 700 SubSaharan migrants camping on nearby Mount Gurugú tried to enter Spanish territory from the Moroccan border. Many of them were shot. The debate whether were Moroccan Gendarmerie Royale or the Spanish Guardia Civil who shot them is still without conclusion. Amnesty International and Médecins Sans Frontières have accused the Moroccan government of dumping over 500 refugees in the Sahara Desert without food or water supplies. During this crisis of mass intrusions, the Spanish Government decided to double the height of the fence and add devices to harmlessly slow intruders.

Morocco has objected to the construction of the barrier. All other countries consider Melilla to be an integral part of Spain.