Spain imposes border checks on Italy over migrant dispute

Spain has introduced temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Italy, amid a dispute between the two European Union partners over migration. The move follows Italy's decision to impose similar controls after a large influx of migrants into Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco. According to the South China Morning Post, over 70,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, with most later returning.

The border checks, which started on Saturday, will be in place until September 7, and will involve random checks at ports and airports to verify the identity and nationality of travelers. The Spanish government had threatened Italy with countermeasures if it did not lift its own border checks, which were imposed in response to the migration crisis.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that her country would not bow to ultimatums regarding national security and border checks, and would maintain its checks at least until August 15. The Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described Italy's actions as unacceptable.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, France 24, Le Monde English, Global News, South China Morning Post — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.