Ceuta in Crisis: Spain Deploys Military Amid Massive Migrant Surge From Morocco

Spain has deployed its Armed Forces to the North African enclave of Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed the border from Morocco, overwhelming security forces and leaving at least nine people dead in one of the territory's most serious migration crises in recent years.

The Spanish government announced that the military would assist the Civil Guard in restoring order and securing the border after local authorities warned that the situation had descended into chaos. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit Ceuta along with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the crisis and oversee the government's response.

According to officials, thousands of migrants entered Ceuta on Thursday after breaching the border in the Tarajal area. Videos circulating online showed large crowds, including young men, women and children, crossing breakwaters and walking into Spanish territory. Authorities confirmed that at least nine people died during the crossings, though the exact circumstances of the deaths remain under investigation. Several bodies were reportedly recovered from the water.

Local officials said migrant arrivals had been rising steadily over the past week before the situation escalated dramatically. Reception centres in Ceuta had already exceeded capacity, forcing hundreds of migrants to sleep outdoors. Regional leader Juan Jesús Vivas appealed to Madrid for additional security personnel and military support, saying the territory's resources had been overwhelmed.

Spain's Interior Ministry said Morocco is cooperating closely to manage the situation. Moroccan police have been intercepting many people attempting to cross, while both governments have agreed to work together to facilitate the return of those who entered Ceuta illegally.

The reason behind the sudden surge remains unclear. Some Spanish officials have linked it to a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling that requires due process before migrants arriving by sea can be returned, though rights activists have questioned whether the legal decision influenced the crossings.

Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the northern coast of Africa, has long served as one of Europe's main gateways for migrants seeking better economic opportunities or refuge from conflict. The latest emergency has revived memories of the 2021 Ceuta border crisis, when more than 8,000 migrants crossed into the enclave within two days, triggering a major diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco.