Migrants attempt border crossing into Melilla; EU border control debated

Migrants from North Africa made another attempt to breach the border fence into the Spanish enclave of Melilla late Thursday, according to local media reports. The attempt resulted in clashes with police, who reportedly used tear gas while migrants threw stones. It remained unclear if any individuals successfully entered Melilla. The Beni Ansar border crossing has been closed since Thursday evening.

Earlier the same day, approximately 500 people reportedly tried to cross from Morocco into Melilla. Local media indicated that stones were thrown, police vehicles were set on fire, and law enforcement officers were injured during this incident. Security forces apprehended several individuals.

In response to the ongoing migration challenges, CSU politician Manfred Weber, a Member of the European Parliament, urged for enhanced support for the European border protection agency, Frontex. "Ceuta is not only a Spanish border but also a European border," Weber stated, advocating for a stronger Frontex to secure the EU's external borders. He questioned the extent to which Europe can take command at the border during exceptional situations and suggested consequences if an EU country does not utilize offered assistance from EU border guards.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reported on X that nearly all individuals who had crossed into the enclave of Ceuta had returned to Morocco. He also asserted that the integrity of the Schengen area remains intact, emphasizing that entry to mainland Spain requires identification. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned against dividing Europe, urging partners to respect European treaties and data, and highlighting Spain's lower migration figures compared to other EU routes since 2021, according to Frontex data.