Don't let Ceuta fall apart: Violence and protests shake the city

Spain has requested support from the European Union’s border protection agency, Frontex, to manage the growing migration crisis in its North African exclave, Ceuta. The request was made by Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, to Beate Gminder, the Commission’s Director-General for Migration and Internal Affairs. Gminder had already offered assistance on August 21, according to the Spanish government’s press office website. The situation in Ceuta has intensified since late July, with thousands of migrants attempting to cross into the territory, leading to heightened tensions among local residents and authorities. The crisis reached a peak on July 30 and 31, when approximately 72,000 migrants swam or climbed over fences from Morocco into Ceuta, according to Interior Minister Grande-Marlaska. Most returned within hours, but around 5,000 remained in the small territory, just 18.5 square kilometers, weeks later. Local residents have increasingly protested against the presence of these migrants, with some demonstrations turning violent. A group of angry locals burned parts of a makeshift migrant camp near the Playa Benítez beach, leaving behind only ashes. This marked a sharp escalation in tensions, which has persisted for several days. Protests have grown more intense, with hundreds of residents marching through the city demanding faster repatriations of undocumented migrants. Discussions in chat groups have centered on “self-defense groups” and neighborhood patrols, while Spanish media reports suggest calls for organized hunts against migrants. The anger has extended beyond the general population to include criticism of the left-leaning central government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Many residents feel abandoned by Madrid, particularly after the mass influx of migrants in early August. The number of people in Ceuta has nearly doubled, with most being young Moroccans who returned quickly via the El Tarajal crossing. However, thousands remain, sleeping in parks, beaches, or on the streets. The situation has also affected humanitarian efforts. On Thursday, dozens of residents blocked a truck delivering food and water from the Red Cross, preventing aid distribution. The exact number of migrants still present in Ceuta remains unclear, with regional authorities estimating up to 8,000 additional individuals, alongside the 1,500 registered minors. The central government in Madrid, however, cited a figure of around 5,000 people. Tensions have further escalated among the migrants themselves, with violent clashes occurring during food distributions. Police used batons and tear gas to intervene, and on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, around 30 to 40 young Moroccan men attacked a military vehicle with stones and sticks, injuring four soldiers and arresting twelve people. Spanish police are investigating several radical Moroccan figures who allegedly arrived in Ceuta during the mass influx and are suspected of inciting violence through social media. Their aim appears to be maintaining pressure on the local population and encouraging more family members to cross the border. Meanwhile, the central government has sought to expedite repatriation and asylum procedures. Additional police stations were established in the temporary reception center (CATE), where identification and registration processes are ongoing. Despite these measures, officials emphasize the need for patience due to legal constraints. International agreements and court rulings prohibit collective deportations and require individual case assessments. Interior Minister Grande-Marlaska announced plans to reinforce Ceuta’s border infrastructure and attempted to de-escalate the situation verbally. During a speech in Madrid’s parliament, he urged calm and condemned all forms of violence, especially rhetoric from far-right groups calling migrants “invaders.” He attributed the worsening situation partly to opposition rhetoric, accusing them of spreading hatred. With the crisis continuing to unfold, the involvement of Frontex and other EU agencies remains critical in managing the complex challenges facing Ceuta.