Why Thousands of Moroccan Migrants Crossed Into the Spanish Exclave Ceuta
Footage and images show scores of people, many of whom appear to be young men, bypassing the Tarajal border fence between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.
On July 31, 2026, thousands of migrants from Morocco swam across the border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, leading to a humanitarian crisis. Close to 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta since Thursday morning, with over 48,300 returning to Morocco later in the day. The Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, expressed concern over the situation, stating that it was not desired by Morocco.
Ceuta, a Spanish territory in northern Africa, has been a gateway for migrants seeking better lives in Europe, and the city's authorities have been working to secure its border. The crisis overwhelmed social services and security apparatuses, with more than 300 people arriving daily. Spain called in its military to assist law enforcement, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed to work with Moroccan and international authorities to restore normalcy.
The surge in migrant crossings has drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump likening the incident to an invasion. Spain's right-wing figures have criticized the leftist, pro-migrant government for allegedly provoking the crisis.
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