France tightens border controls with Spain amid Ceuta migrant influx

France is significantly increasing its border surveillance with Spain, responding to a substantial flow of migrants into the Spanish city of Ceuta. The move is part of broader European efforts to manage the fallout from the crisis unfolding in the North African city.

President Emmanuel Macron has directed the Interior Ministry to intensify inspections along the French-Spanish border. He emphasized Paris's ongoing consultations with Spanish and Moroccan authorities regarding the situation. Macron conveyed France's complete solidarity with Spain to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, offering any necessary support.

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He informed the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of France's full solidarity with his country, expressing Paris's readiness to provide any support or assistance Madrid deems necessary to confront the crisis.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin issued immediate instructions on Thursday evening to bolster border checks. This includes deploying rapid intervention forces from the border agency, comprising police, gendarmes, and customs officers. Additionally, counter-terrorism soldiers from the 'Sentinelle' unit, previously stationed on the Italian border, will be involved in enhanced surveillance within French territory to prevent any potential repercussions of the Ceuta crisis.

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The authorities will also strengthen surveillance within French territory, by deploying the rapid intervention force of the border agency, which includes police, gendarmerie and customs officers, alongside soldiers from the anti-terrorism unit 'Sentinelle', a force that was deployed until now on the border with Italy to manage migration files.