Four migrants arrested after throwing stones at Spanish soldiers in Ceuta

Tensions remain high in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, where four Moroccan migrants were arrested Saturday for throwing stones at Spanish soldiers. The incident follows a massive influx of migrants from Morocco on July 30-31, many of whom still remain in the small territory.

This latest confrontation occurred as soldiers patrolled the seafront. The military personnel pursued the attackers, and one soldier was injured when he fell during the chase. The arrests come just days after a similar incident where a soldier was wounded when a military vehicle was attacked by approximately 70 migrants. Twelve Moroccans were arrested in that instance, with eleven reportedly expelled back to Morocco.

Ceuta, an enclave of roughly 80,000 people, continues to grapple with the aftermath of the large-scale illegal entry. While many migrants have since departed, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 remain, living in makeshift camps or on beaches. Local residents have organized protests, demanding the departure of the migrants and citing security concerns.

The Spanish government is seeking to accelerate the return process for these individuals. However, each migrant must be identified to determine eligibility for asylum or deportation, a time-consuming procedure. The European Union is providing additional support, with European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner confirming that Spain requested further assistance from Frontex, Europol, and the European Asylum Support Office to expedite case processing. The priority, Brunner stated, is to ensure the swift return of all those illegally present in Ceuta.

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The priority remains to ensure the swift return of all those illegally present in Ceuta.