Spain deploying military to Morocco border after migrant crossings

Spain is sending its military to the border with Morocco in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave, to restore order after thousands of migrants crossed into the territory. The announcement came after local authorities in Ceuta requested reinforcements from Madrid to handle a border crisis that escalated dramatically on Thursday.

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The situation is absolute chaos. It's not possible to give precise numbers, but there are thousands of migrants crossing. The border had "totally collapsed."

The Spanish government stated it would deploy the Armed Forces to assist the Civil Guard in maintaining security within Ceuta. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit the territory on Friday, accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The situation has been described as "absolute chaos" by Rachid Sbihi, head of the Civil Guard officers' association in Ceuta, who reported that the border had "totally collapsed" with thousands of migrants crossing.

Achraf Maimouni of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights described the situation as "exceptional," noting that the Tarajal border crossing opened under unusual circumstances. Video footage showed large crowds, primarily Moroccans, walking onto local roads from the breakwaters at Tarajal beach. The group included young men, women, and small children, with some migrants shouting "Viva España!"

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The Tarajal border was opened under unusual circumstances this morning and people crossed.

The exact cause for the sudden influx remains unclear, though it follows a recent increase in migrants attempting to reach Ceuta, often by swimming. At least three deaths were reported on Wednesday during such attempts. While Moroccan authorities have not issued a public statement, Spain's Interior Ministry indicated that Morocco is cooperating closely, with Moroccan police preventing many from crossing. Both nations have agreed to work together on the swift return of all individuals who entered Ceuta illegally. Spain's interior ministry assured the safety of its citizens and border integrity but stated a national emergency could not be declared solely over migration concerns.

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Viva España!