Where is Ceuta and why has Spain deployed thousands of troops to the enclave?

WorldPolitics
31 Jul 2026 • 2:58 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Where is Ceuta and why has Spain deployed thousands of troops to the enclave?

  • Spain has deployed its military to the North African enclave of Ceuta following a mass migrant crossing from Morocco, which has resulted in at least nine deaths.
  • The Spanish government described the border as "totally collapsed" and "absolute chaos," with thousands of migrants entering the territory, overwhelming local police and reception centres.
  • Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni reacted by calling for Spain's suspension from the European Union's visa-free Schengen travel zone, citing the "shocking" situation in Ceuta.
  • Migrants were seen swimming or scaling fences to cross into Ceuta, which lies along the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, an event compared to a similar large-scale influx in May 2021.
  • The crisis follows a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling on migrant returns and has drawn criticism from right-wing parties regarding Spain's pro-migrant policies.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved