Ceuta crisis: Spanish army sweeps city for 60,000 migrants

Ceuta crisis: Spanish forces continue sweeping operations in the streets of Ceuta after the arrival of some 60,000 migrants, amid European and American criticism of Madrid and accusations of “facilitating irregular migration.”

Russia’s Novosti news agency reported that members of the Spanish army, along with police and the Civil Guard, are sweeping the streets and areas of Ceuta searching for hidden migrants, as part of efforts to control the unprecedented crisis in the city.

Patrols are searching under bridges, near residential buildings, in parks, tunnels, sewage canals, and on rooftops for migrants who may have hidden after arriving in the Spanish enclave.

Chases and clashes during sweeping operations

In one incident, army personnel chased a group of fleeing migrants. During the chase, an officer struck one of them with a baton, while others tried to hide among nearby buildings.

Migrants who are identified are taken to the Tarajal border crossing, where they are monitored to ensure they do not deviate from their path, though some have managed to escape and return to city neighborhoods.

Record numbers of migrant arrivals

Media reports estimated that some 60,000 people crossed into Ceuta in recent days, representing more than half of the region’s population of 77,000. Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that some 49,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta in just 24 hours.

Spanish authorities declared a state of emergency and requested military intervention to stop the mass crossings.

🇪🇸 Ceuta in chaos: Spanish army powerless as unarmed migrants pour over border

Spain has been forced to deploy its military in Ceuta after thousands of migrants swarmed the city from Morocco, overwhelming security forces. At least 15 people died trying to make the crossing,… pic.twitter.com/gFHihEIjm0

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 31, 2026

European and American reactions

The crisis sparked a wave of diplomatic moves across Europe, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticizing the scenes from Ceuta as “unacceptable” and calling for an immediate halt to dangerous crossings.

The US State Department also accused the Spanish government of “deliberately facilitating mass irregular migration to Europe,” adding an international dimension to the crisis.

Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen accused Spain of failing to protect the Schengen borders and called for exceptional measures following the arrival of thousands of migrants in Ceuta.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also called for exceptional measures to protect her country’s borders and citizens’ security, including suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain, aiming to pressure Madrid to tighten controls on its border with Morocco.

🚨#BREAKING: The Moroccan Muslims who have invaded the small Spanish city of Ceuta are now BREAKING INTO STORES by the HUNDREDS.

Police are completely overwhelmed.

Migrants can be seen running from one store to the next, grabbing items and running.

WHERE IS THE MILITARY?!!!!! pic.twitter.com/NjqQAI4zgD

— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) July 31, 2026