MADRID — Spain says several hundred African migrants have stormed the border fences separating its North African enclave of Melilla from Morocco, with some 30 managing to make it across.

The Interior Ministry said some 600 migrants took part in two separate attempts early Tuesday but Spanish and Moroccan forces managed to push most of them back.

The ministry said 2,000 migrants have made it across the border fences in roughly 65 storming attempts this year.

Thousands of African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter Melilla and Spain's other North African enclave of Ceuta each year, hoping to reach Europe and make a better life.

Those that make it head for the cities' temporary migrant accommodation centers. They are eventually repatriated or let go.