Police move Ceuta migrants off beaches in Spanish enclave

Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the north African coast, has been struggling to cope with a large influx of migrants who have been living on its beaches for weeks. The situation escalated after more than 70,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco on July 30 and 31, leading to overcrowding and dangerous living conditions. In response, police moved hundreds of migrants from the beaches to a newly constructed temporary camp in the city's port area on Friday.

The transfer was met with a large crowd eager to secure one of the 1,700 available places in the tented facility, as the city had been housing over 13,000 migrants. Despite opposition from the local conservative authority, the Spanish government proceeded with the relocation, arguing that it would help authorities process cases more efficiently and alleviate pressure on public spaces.

The crisis has sparked protests, tensions with local residents, and accusations of government abandonment, as thousands of migrants remain in precarious conditions on the beaches. The migrant surge has dominated Spain's political debate, with conservative and far-right opposition accusing the government of failing to protect Spanish sovereignty. The situation remains unresolved, with growing worry and anger among the city's 84,000 residents.