Spain has declared the migrant crisis in its North African enclave Ceuta under control after more than 50,000 migrants crossed into the territory over recent days, with most voluntarily returning to Morocco. The surge began on Thursday, July 31st, 2026, and continued into the early hours of Friday, August 1st, 2026.

Ceuta, which was under Portuguese rule from 1415 before becoming part of Spain in 1580, has long been a focal point of migration and geopolitical tension. In 2022, Spain restored full diplomatic relations with Morocco after reversing a four-decade policy supporting self-determination for the Indigenous people of Western Sahara, instead backing Moroccan sovereignty.

Recently, Morocco named a 1,055km (655.5-mile) highway over Western Sahara after former U.S. President Donald Trump. Experts note this move aligns with Morocco’s participation in the Trump-brokered Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Morocco and Israel in 2020.

The migrant influx into Ceuta has intensified scrutiny of the Morocco-Algeria rivalry and its impact on Europe’s North Africa policy. At least 18 migrants died during the crossings, with some reports citing up to 57 deaths after approximately 60,000 breached the border.

Spain responded by deploying military forces to Ceuta to manage the situation. The crisis has also raised questions about whether Israel played any role in the events, given the complex diplomatic ties in the region.

Sources