Spain suspends troop leave in Ceuta amid fears of new mass migrant push

Spain has ordered troops deployed to the autonomous city of Ceuta not to take leave after intelligence and online chatter raised fears of a new mass attempt by migrants to cross from North Africa, Madrid said.

On 30 July some 72,000 people reportedly tried to enter the tiny Spanish territory from Morocco, and about 90 people died during the chaotic effort to cross the only land border between Europe and Africa. After reports that online groups were calling for a fresh mass push on 15 August, the Spanish Ministry of Defence cancelled all leave for service members sent to Ceuta to help manage the crisis.

Defence order and operational needs

The ministry sent a written order to the command in Ceuta stating that all holidays and days off for military personnel were suspended until further notice, except in what the document termed "exceptional and duly justified cases." It said the measure was driven by "the needs of the service, which require increased engagement in Ceuta" because of "the migration crisis." A ministry spokesperson confirmed to reporters that leaves for soldiers in Ceuta have been revoked.

The move comes amid heightened tensions between Spain and Italy over handling of recent irregular arrivals. Madrid responded this week to controls introduced by Rome by ordering passport checks on passengers arriving from Italy at Spanish ports and airports.

European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner spent the weekend trying to defuse the dispute but was unable to broker a compromise. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a joint statement backing creation of "return centres" in third countries where rejected asylum seekers could be transferred; Meloni has supported the approach after Italy built two such centres in Albania, although courts have repeatedly blocked their use.

In a joint message the two leaders said they are proud of "the Christian cultural heritage of Europe" and argued that migrants "must not try to impose on us a way of life we do not want." They warned against "uncontrolled migration in Europe" and blamed irregular migrants for "an increase in crime rates."

Separate reports said that at least 96 people died near Ceuta in the recent wave of crossings, underscoring how deadly the situation has been for those attempting the route.

Photo: EPA/VALDA KALNINA