Following thousands of migrants swimming into the region on Thursday from Morocco, Spain is deploying troops to strengthen security in its enclave in North Africa, Ceuta. While attempting to reach Ceuta, at least fifteen people perished by drowning.
Following a recent increase in attempted crossings, local authorities had requested assistance from Madrid; nevertheless, on Thursday, there were chaotic scenes as border procedures appeared to break down. This month, the Supreme Court of Spain decided that migrants who are intercepted at sea en route to Ceuta or Melilla, another Spanish enclave, cannot be summarily sent back to Morocco.
Human trafficking networks were accused by Spain’s interior ministry of taking use of this to encourage the flow of undocumented migrants” According to the ministry, “the armed forces will support the Civil Guard in the exercise of its powers and any others that may be necessary to maintain security in the city of Ceuta. The Strait of Gibraltar divides Ceuta, on the northern coast of Morocco, from mainland Spain. For many years, Ceuta has served as a hub for migrants trying to enter Europe.
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