Key facts
- Thousands of migrants entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco.
- Migrants arrived by swimming and scaling the border fence.
- Ceuta's leader declared a humanitarian and security emergency due to overwhelmed facilities.
- Spain and Morocco have agreed to urgently return the migrants who crossed the border.
- Spain will deploy military units to reinforce police in the enclave.
Thousands of migrants breached Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, overwhelming border security and reception centers. Migrants arrived by swimming and using flotation devices, as well as scaling the border fence, leading local officials to describe the situation as 'absolute chaos' and a 'totally collapsed' border. Ceuta's president, Juan Jesús Vivas, declared a humanitarian and security emergency and urged the Spanish government to declare a national emergency and provide additional resources. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has committed to an immediate response and working with Moroccan authorities to restore normalcy. However, Spain's Interior Ministry has ruled out a national emergency, stating that migration flows do not fit the criteria for activation of the National Civil Protection System. The ministry also suggested that human trafficking networks might be exploiting a recent court ruling that prevents immediate border rejection for those arriving by sea without breaking a physical barrier. Morocco's embassy blamed criminal organizations for the mass arrivals, while Moroccan diplomatic sources insisted on exemplary cooperation with Spain. However, Civil Guard sources in Ceuta have questioned the effectiveness of on-the-ground assistance from Moroccan Gendarmerie. Spain and Morocco have agreed to enhance coordination and review procedures to expedite the return of migrants who entered Ceuta illegally. The Spanish government will deploy military units to reinforce police in the North African enclave of Ceuta after migrants broke through fences from Morocco. This deployment includes soldiers, a diving unit, and a military vessel, alongside reinforcements for special police units.