Spain deploys military to Ceuta as dozens of migrants cross from Morocco, nine dead

Thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta, prompting Madrid to dispatch the armed forces to support the Civil Guard and restore order at the border. Video footage showed crowds of mainly young men, as well as families with women and children, moving along the breakwaters and local roads near the checkpoint. At least nine people died during the crossing, which followed a day of increased attempts, including several swimmers.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit Ceuta on Friday as the central government coordinates the response. Ceuta, home to about 85,000 residents, is one of two Spanish autonomous cities on the African continent and shares the European Union’s only land border with Africa. The territory has been under Spanish control since 1580 and hosts a mixed population of Christians and Muslims, as well as Spanish and Moroccan workers.

Morocco does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, referring to them as occupied lands, and the cities have been flashpoints in diplomatic tensions. In May 2021, Morocco relaxed its border controls, allowing thousands of migrants to enter Ceuta in a two-day period, a move linked to a dispute over Western Sahara. Relations were later normalized after diplomatic talks.

Ceuta and Melilla serve as fortified entry points for migrants seeking to reach Europe, though most arrivals are intercepted and returned or placed in shelters while asylum claims are processed. Migrants typically swim across the Strait of Gibraltar from nearby Moroccan towns such as Fnideq or Belyounech, covering distances of 3 to 5 kilometres. While arrivals at these enclaves are lower than those to Spain’s islands, the overall immigrant population in Spain has risen to about 10 million, many of whom work in agriculture, tourism and services.