Nearly 2,000 Migrants Storm Into Ceuta in 10 Days, Spain Urged to Deploy Army

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located on the North African coast, is facing a critical situation as authorities have appealed to the national government to declare a state of emergency and deploy military forces to manage its border with Morocco. This plea comes after a surge in migrant arrivals, with estimates suggesting between 1,500 and 2,000 people have entered Ceuta over the past ten days.

Juan Jesus Vivas, the president of Ceuta's regional government, described the situation as a "humanitarian and social emergency" of national proportions. He highlighted that the influx of migrants has overwhelmed the territory's reception capacity, with nearly 1,000 individuals waiting outside the Temporary Migrant Reception Center (CETI). Vivas stressed that Ceuta can no longer handle the pressure alone and requires significant additional assistance, including police forces and the military, to reinforce border security.

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Today, mere hours later, the situation is even more critical: another night of mass arrivals, nearly a thousand people waiting outside the CETI, our resources completely overwhelmed, and another life lost at sea.

Video footage has emerged showing large groups of migrants reaching coastal areas, attempting to swim around breakwaters, and climbing border barriers. The Guardia Civil, Spain's national police, reported that migrants overwhelmed officers at the breakwater, leading to substantial numbers entering the territory. Hundreds have also reportedly climbed over protective barriers where police presence was lacking.

In response, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pledged an "immediate response." He stated that Madrid is mobilizing necessary resources and is coordinating with Moroccan and international authorities to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible. The situation presents a significant strain on Ceuta, a territory with a population of approximately 85,000 people, as it grapples with the humanitarian and security challenges posed by the mass arrivals.

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We are mobilizing all necessary resources, working with Moroccan and international authorities, and preparing the necessary measures to restore normalcy as soon as possible.