Spain has deployed military personnel to the North African enclave of Ceuta following the deaths of at least 18 Moroccan migrants who attempted to enter the territory. The incident occurred on July 30, 2026, when a large group of migrants tried to cross the border fence or swim around it.
The Spanish government announced the military deployment on July 31, 2026, to reinforce border security and assist police in managing the situation. The migrants died during the attempt, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two enclaves on the Moroccan coast, have long been flashpoints for irregular migration into the European Union. The Spanish Interior Ministry has not yet released an official statement detailing the events, but local authorities have confirmed the death toll.
Moroccan authorities have not commented publicly on the incident. The Spanish military's role will be to support border control operations, according to government sources.
