Operation Crossing the Strait sees exceptional numbers
Operation Crossing the Strait, also known as Operation Marhaba, which allows the smooth transit of millions of Moroccans living abroad who return to Morocco to enjoy the summer period, is recording exceptional numbers.
According to official data released by the Kingdom of Morocco through the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, more than 2.8 million Moroccans living abroad have travelled between June and early August under this scheme to leave the countries where they live and work and return to the North African country to enjoy their summer holidays before returning to their respective destinations.
The Moroccan administration is talking about an ‘unprecedented’ influx thanks to these 2.8 million Moroccans registered in the Operation Passage of the Strait 2025 from June to early August. The scheme began on 10 June and will last until 15 September, offering all kinds of support and transit facilities to Moroccans living abroad who want to enjoy their holidays in their homeland.
‘The figures speak for themselves: between 10 June and 4 August 2025, nearly 2.8 million Moroccans living abroad entered the Kingdom, representing an increase of more than 10% compared to the previous year,’ according to the data provided.
This increase compared to last year, which already showed very good figures, demonstrates the attachment Moroccans have to their country and culture when it comes to returning to enjoy their holidays. It also demonstrates the tourist appeal of this North African country, one of the most visited in the world due to its great cultural, leisure, landscape and gastronomic offerings.
July has therefore been an exceptional month in terms of traffic figures for Operation Marhaba, confirming the excellent tourism figures for the Kingdom of Morocco up to this month, thanks to the 11.6 million tourists who visited the North African country in the first seven months of the year.
The operation has seen an increase in the number of vehicles and passengers compared to last year. In just under two months, 2,789,197 Moroccans living abroad arrived in the country, 10.37% more than in 2024. 338,360 vehicles crossed the borders, an increase of 3.74%, according to the data available.
Operation Marhaba 2025 is organised by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, with the collaboration of various national actors and administrations, with a view to providing all the services necessary for the smooth travel of Moroccans living abroad who are returning to Morocco to enjoy their summer holidays. The main points of entry for Moroccans living abroad are the port of Tangier Med and Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca.
The port of Tangier Med remains the main point of entry for the Moroccan community abroad, with 555,753 passengers and 175,808 vehicles, representing 35.87% of total arrivals by sea and land. At the same time, Casablanca's Mohammed V airport leads the way in air transport with 320,395 passengers, representing a quarter of all arrivals by air to date.
The teams of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, deployed at crossing points and rest areas, carried out 45,465 interventions, of which 2,858 were medical in nature, according to official data provided to date.
The port authorities, together with the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN), customs and local authorities, established procedures to reduce waiting times at borders and customs points.
Omar Moussa Abdellah, project manager and supervisor of the operation within the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, highlighted the significant human and logistical resources deployed at all border points to ensure a dignified and safe welcome for Moroccans living abroad, in accordance with the instructions issued by King Mohammed VI, which gives exceptional importance to Operation Marhaba every summer in order to provide all possible assistance to Moroccans living abroad who are returning temporarily to the country.