Italy has called for exceptional Schengen restrictions against Spain after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, yesterday, on Thursday, 30 July.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government was considering extraordinary border-control measures, including suspending the application of the Schengen agreement with Spain. She described the scenes in Ceuta as evidence that uncontrolled irregular migration posed a threat to the security of Europe’s borders.
The confrontation follows earlier criticism from the Italian government over Spain’s decision to regularise approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants already living in the country.
Spain responded by summoning the Italian ambassador in Madrid. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the Italian statements as inappropriate and accused Meloni’s government of engaging in partisan demagoguery instead of demonstrating European solidarity.
Spanish state broadcaster TVE estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered Ceuta by land and sea. Videos showed migrants swimming around the Tarajal border barriers, using inflatable tubes and breaking through a gate before running into the city. Most were young Moroccans, although families, children and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were also among those who crossed.
At least nine bodies were recovered in Ceuta during the crisis, adding to approximately 60 deaths recorded among people attempting to reach the enclave in recent months. Reception facilities were overwhelmed, some businesses closed, and Ceuta’s regional president, Juan Jesús Vivas, called on Madrid to declare a national emergency.
The Spanish government sent 200 specialist police officers and 60 soldiers from the mainland to reinforce the Civil Guard and local security services. It also closed the border crossing at Melilla after another attempted mass entry led to clashes at the Beni Ansar crossing. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced that they would travel to Ceuta to meet local authorities and security officials.
Spain and Morocco agreed to strengthen their coordination and return those who had entered irregularly as quickly as legally possible.
The events recalled the May 2021 crisis, when approximately 9,000 people entered Ceuta after Moroccan authorities temporarily relaxed border controls during a diplomatic dispute with Spain. At least 1,200 of those who crossed were unaccompanied minors.
That dispute followed Spain’s decision to provide medical treatment to Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Morocco was accused of using migration pressure to punish Madrid and advance its diplomatic objectives.
Newsroom
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