Spain is sending troops to Ceuta after a migrant surge from Morocco killed at least 18.
Why it matters: Ceuta is a Spanish enclave and an EU frontier, so the surge puts border control under pressure. It also raises fresh strain in Spain's relationship with Morocco, whose cooperation is central to crossings management.
- Spain said the Armed Forces would support the Civil Guard in Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco.
- AP reported on July 31 that at least 18 migrants had died trying to reach the enclave.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit Ceuta with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
- AP reported that nearly 3,000 migrants had entered Ceuta by land or sea so far in 2026, as of July 15.
Spain is reinforcing Ceuta after a surge of migrant crossings from Morocco into the tiny Spanish territory on the North African coast. AP reported that thousands of migrants crossed into the enclave, prompting Madrid to send in the military.
The reported death toll climbed over several days. AP first reported at least nine deaths, then later updated the figure to at least 18 in a July 31 report on migrants who died while trying to reach Ceuta. That later update reflected the cumulative toll at that point.
Spain's government said the Armed Forces would support the Civil Guard in Ceuta, and AP reported that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit the territory with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Another AP report described Ceuta as a Spanish enclave bordering Morocco and serving as an external border of the European Union.
AP also reported on July 29 that hundreds of migrants were swimming from Morocco to Ceuta. That report said Spain's interior ministry did not confirm the number of crossings, while ministry figures showed nearly 3,000 migrants had entered Ceuta by land or sea so far in 2026, as of July 15.
By the numbers
- 18 - Migrants AP said had died trying to reach Ceuta as of July 31
- 3,000 - Migrants Spain's interior ministry said had entered Ceuta by land or sea so far in 2026, as of July 15
- July 31 - Date of AP's updated death toll
What's next: Sánchez and Grande-Marlaska were expected to visit Ceuta.