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Migrant crisis in Ceuta: Government mobilizes Army as thousands cross border
🇪🇸 Spain /Conflict & Security

Migrant crisis in Ceuta: Government mobilizes Army as thousands cross border

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Thousands of migrants, mostly young people, are attempting to cross the border into Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco.
  • Spanish authorities are mobilizing the Army to support the overwhelmed Guardia Civil in managing the influx.
  • The European Union has offered Frontex support to Spain, while Morocco has agreed to repatriate those who entered illegally.

A massive influx of migrants, predominantly young men, is overwhelming the border into Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco. A human column stretching five kilometers has formed near Fnideq, a Moroccan city bordering Ceuta, as thousands continue to arrive.

Despite an agreement between Spain and Morocco to repatriate individuals who have entered Ceuta illegally, the flow of migrants has not stopped. Moroccan police are reportedly struggling to manage the situation, with the "pull effect" intensifying the arrivals.

In response, the Spanish government has decided to deploy units of the Army to assist the Guardia Civil, who are struggling to cope with the sheer number of people crossing the border, many by swimming. Military units were also mobilized during a similar crisis in May 2021, when approximately 10,000 Moroccans entered Ceuta.

The Armed Forces will reinforce the Guardia Civil in the exercise of their powers and those that may be necessary to maintain security in the city of Ceuta. The mobilized personnel will be coordinated by the operations command and will provide support to the Guardia Civil.

— La Moncloa (Spanish Government Spokesperson)The government explains the role of the mobilized Army units in Ceuta.

The deployed military personnel will support the Guardia Civil in their duties and in maintaining security within Ceuta. This reinforcement includes additional personnel beyond the 60 officers permanently assigned to border surveillance.

The European Union is closely monitoring the situation and has offered Spain increased support through Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration has also been in contact with Moroccan authorities to ensure all necessary measures are taken to prevent these dangerous journeys.

Meanwhile, the Spanish political party Sumar has called for the crisis to be managed with humanitarian principles and respect for human rights, urging against the "return of minors or individuals who could claim asylum."

The urgent thing in the situation in Ceuta is to 'protect the life' of the people who migrate.

— Sumar (Political Party)Sumar outlines its position on managing the Ceuta migrant crisis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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