Spain deploys army to stop flow of migrants from Morocco

OVIEDO, Spain

Spain deployed its army in the African enclave of Ceuta on Tuesday to deal with the surge of migrants flowing into its territory.

Spanish authorities calculate that a record-breaking 5,000 people, including minors, irregularly crossed into Ceuta on Monday. A police source told Spain’s Europa Press that the number could be as high as 9,000 on Tuesday.

“My priority is to return normalcy to Ceuta. Its citizens must know they have the absolute support of the Spanish government and we will act firmly to ensure their safety and defend their integrity as part of the country,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted.

The migrants arrived by swimming or taking small boats from Morocco into the Spanish territory. At least one man died in the attempt.

The steady stream of migrants comes amid a worsening diplomatic row between Spain and Morocco.

It all began when Spain took in Brahim Gali, leader of the outlawed Polisario Front, to be treated for COVID-19 in late April.

Spain's Foreign Affairs Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya insists that the country took in the Western Sahara independence leader for "strictly humanitarian reasons," but the Moroccan government has released statements calling Spain’s move “unacceptable and absolutely provocative.”

The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Ministry called it "deplorable" that Spain allowed Gali in with a false passport, failed to advise Morocco about his arrival and did not take any legal action against him.

A video appears to show Moroccan police standing passively by as a large group of people took to the sea in small boats.

Laya earlier told reporters she was “not aware” that Morocco had relaxed emigration controls.

Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s far-right party Vox, tweeted: “Morocco is invading Spain...The people arriving are not refugees, they are soldiers obeying the Moroccan government … the army must expel them,” he said.

Images from the area show that women, children and entire families have been among those crossing into Spain.