Military Deployed as Thousands Surge Across Ceuta Border

The atmosphere in the North African territory turned volatile as groups of migrants pushed through fences, some chanting "Long live Spain" as they entered. In neighboring Fnideq, Moroccan security forces deployed water cannons to deter further crossings, yet the momentum remained unchecked. Local authorities confirmed the recovery of nine bodies in the water, adding to a grim tally of 60 migrant deaths in the region over recent months.

Business owners across the city shuttered their shops, citing fears that police resources were overwhelmed. Enrique Serrano, a local clothing store owner, described a sense of abandonment, noting that he chose to stay home to defend his family rather than risk opening his business. Meanwhile, in the second Spanish enclave of Melilla, reports surfaced of clashes at the Beni Ansar border crossing, where vehicles were set ablaze and injuries were recorded among both migrants and security personnel.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is scheduled to visit Ceuta on Friday to assess the situation alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Political friction has intensified, with opposition leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoo labeling the event a national security crisis and urging the government to declare a state of emergency. While the government maintains that the surge was orchestrated by criminal organizations exploiting a recent Supreme Court ruling on border returns, critics argue that Spain’s broader migration policies have inadvertently incentivized the crossing attempts.