Spain deploys troops as over 1,500 migrants arrive in Ceuta

Hundreds of migrants, many of them minors, have arrived in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in recent days, overwhelming reception centers and prompting a deployment of Spanish military units. Over 1,500 people have crossed into the territory, with hundreds more arriving in the past hours, according to local media reports citing regional authorities.

Spain's government has mobilized resources and is cooperating with Morocco and international institutions to "restore normal order as soon as possible," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated on X. However, the Interior Ministry rejected calls from Ceuta's regional government to declare a national state of emergency, deeming migration flows outside the scope of the national emergency system. Instead, military units already stationed in Ceuta will support border guards.

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mobilizes all the necessary resources, cooperates with Morocco and international institutions and prepares the necessary measures to restore normal order as soon as possible

The influx has drawn parallels to a major migration crisis in May 2021, when over 8,000 people entered Ceuta from Morocco within 36 hours. The current situation has led to overcrowded facilities, with some migrants sleeping on the streets. Tragically, two bodies believed to be migrants who attempted to swim to Ceuta were recovered by the Civil Guard on Wednesday. Regional president Juan Jesús Vivas noted that approximately 60 bodies have been recovered in the past year, likely also migrants.

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo criticized the government's response, calling the situation "critical" and accusing Sánchez's administration of failing to act. He argued that the government must address what he described as a "national security crisis."

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The government cannot ignore its obligations because we are facing a national security crisis