Spain's interior minister urges calm after Ceuta clashes over migrants

Spain's interior minister has appealed for calm following clashes between residents and police in the north African enclave of Ceuta. The protests are directed against migrants who have remained in the territory after a significant influx in July, which triggered a Europe-wide migrant alert.

Tensions have been high in Ceuta, a territory of 80,000 people, since at least 60,000 individuals crossed into the enclave within a few days in July. While the Spanish government asserts that most of these individuals have since returned to Morocco, thousands reportedly still remain, wandering the streets and sleeping on beaches.

Demonstrations have intensified in recent days. On Thursday, protesters clashed with police on a beach where migrants had been sleeping, and some of their belongings were set ablaze. In a separate incident, a soldier was injured when migrants reportedly threw stones at troops, and 12 Moroccan migrants were arrested. Two further arrests were made after migrants allegedly attacked a police officer.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska addressed parliament, stating, "Violence is not the answer." He urged for an end to all forms of violence, emphasizing that it is not a viable solution for complex issues like the one facing Ceuta. Conversely, right-wing and far-right political parties have demanded the immediate roundup and deportation of all remaining migrants. Grande-Marlaska accused these parties of "inciting hatred and confrontation" within Ceuta.

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Violence is not the answer. I call for calm and an end to any form of violence, because ... violence is not the way to resolve any problem with the complexity of that facing Cueta.