Spain deploys troops to Ceuta after mass migrant border breach
Photo: migrants break through the border into Spain (Screenshot)
Spain has decided to send military personnel to the autonomous city of Ceuta following a massive influx of migrants across the border with Morocco. According to authorities, between two and three thousand people entered the enclave in just one day, and local law enforcement stated that they cannot cope with the situation on their own, according to The Independent.
The Spanish government reported that 60 military personnel will be deployed to Ceuta to support the Civil Guard units responsible for security in the enclave. It was also announced that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, along with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, will visit Ceuta.
The decision was made after local authorities called on Madrid to declare a state of emergency and deploy the army to stabilize the situation.
Law enforcement reports chaos at the border
The head of the Spanish Civil Guard officers' association in Ceuta, Rachid Sbihi, stated that the situation at the border has spiraled out of control.
“It’s not possible to give precise numbers, but there are thousands of migrants crossing," he said.
According to him, the border infrastructure has practically ceased to function.
Events reminiscent of the 2021 crisis
The Independent notes that the current situation resembles the events of May 2021, when about 10,000 migrants from Morocco and sub-Saharan African countries arrived in Ceuta over several days. Many of them were minors.
At that time, the small city of about 85,000 people faced a large-scale migration crisis.
Morocco cooperates with Spain
Ceuta is a Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa, bordering Morocco. Together with Melilla, it remains one of the main land routes for illegal migration into the European Union.
According to Spain's Ministry of the Interior, the Moroccan authorities are cooperating with Madrid to resolve the situation.
The ministry stated that Moroccan law enforcement officers are detaining a significant number of people attempting to cross the border illegally.
What else is worth knowing about the migration situation in the EU
In Germany, asylum applications will now be processed by AI. New technologies are expected to help process asylum applications and residence permits more quickly.
Also, Ukrainians in Germany risk losing social assistance. The refusal-to-work clause has been tightened — basic payments may be suspended entirely.
Earlier, Britain obliged some refugees to reimburse the state for funds spent on their upkeep while their asylum applications were being considered.
