In response to a large influx of migrants overwhelming the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta, the Madrid government has announced the deployment of military forces to bolster security in the region. The Ministry of the Interior reported on Thursday that soldiers, divers, and a military ship would be transferred to the area.
This decision came after the regional president of Ceuta urged Madrid to declare a national state of emergency and assume control of the situation within the autonomous city, as local authorities were struggling to cope with the rising number of illegal crossings.
Although the Ministry of the Interior initially rejected the call for a national emergency, it later confirmed the deployment of troops aimed at restoring order and reinforcing overall security. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit Ceuta on Friday. Furthermore, the European Commission has offered operational support through Frontex.
In recent days, hundreds of people reached Ceuta from Morocco, putting the Guardia Civil-Spain’s civil guard-under extreme pressure. Sánchez stated that his government is firmly committed to providing an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta, and he promised to cooperate closely with Moroccan authorities to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Spain and Morocco have already agreed on a procedure designed to accelerate deportations, though specific details regarding this process were not provided at this time.
