Migrants breach border from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta enclave in mass crossing

Hundreds of migrants breached the border from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on Thursday, overwhelming police at the city's breakwater. Migrants swam from the Moroccan side or broke through a fence, reminiscent of a similar mass crossing in May 2021. While the exact number of migrants is unconfirmed, state television reported 2,000 to 3,000 arrivals. Local businesses shuttered due to the tense situation, with one owner stating, "The first thing I have to do is protect my business and my family." Ceuta's leader urged the national government to declare an emergency and deploy the army, a request the Defense Ministry has not yet acted upon. This surge follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that bars summary returns of migrants intercepted at sea attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla, which a Guardia Civil spokesperson noted has led to an "explosion" of crossings.