Ceuta, Spain (AP) — Spain has announced the deployment of its military to restore order at its border with Morocco in Ceuta after thousands of migrants entered the territory, resulting in at least nine fatalities. The decision followed a request from local authorities for additional support to manage the crisis that escalated on Thursday when large crowds breached the border fence.
The Spanish government stated that the Armed Forces would assist the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska are scheduled to visit Ceuta on Friday.
Rachid Sbihi, head of the association representing Spain’s Civil Guard officers, described the situation as chaotic, noting that thousands of migrants were crossing the border. Achraf Maimouni, a member of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, referred to the circumstances as exceptional, indicating that the Tarajal border was opened under unusual conditions.
Video footage showed crowds, primarily consisting of young men but also families, crossing onto local roads from Tarajal beach. The Spanish government delegation in Ceuta confirmed the deaths, with bodies reportedly seen in the water. Local authorities noted that dozens have died this year attempting to reach Ceuta.
The surge in crossings has been linked to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that prevents the immediate return of migrants arriving by sea without due process, although this ruling does not apply to those entering by land. Activists in Morocco have expressed skepticism that the ruling influenced the surge, suggesting that many migrants may not be aware of such legal changes.
Spain is a significant entry point into Europe for migrants seeking better opportunities or fleeing violence. To reach Ceuta, migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering approximately 3.1 miles (5 kilometers). The recent influx of migrants has prompted calls from Ceuta’s regional government for the national government to declare a state of emergency and deploy the army to secure the border.
As of July 15, nearly 3,000 migrants had entered Ceuta by land or sea this year, according to the Interior Ministry, which plans to release its next migration report on August 3.