On May 17, 2021, thousands of migrants, mostly Moroccans, crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, in what Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described as an "attack" on Spain's borders. The influx, which saw around 8,000 people enter in a single day, was one of the largest such movements in the enclave's history.
Sánchez, speaking in Madrid, said the situation was a "serious crisis for Spain and for Europe" and vowed to restore order. He announced that Spanish troops had been deployed to the border and that those who entered irregularly would be returned to Morocco. The Spanish government also accused Morocco of not doing enough to prevent the crossings, which came amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries over Western Sahara and other issues.
The migrants swam or used small boats to reach Ceuta, and many were seen on beaches and streets. The Spanish Red Cross and other aid organizations provided assistance, but the situation strained local resources. By May 19, Spanish authorities reported that around 5,600 people had been returned to Morocco, and the number of migrants in Ceuta had decreased significantly.
The incident highlighted the ongoing migration challenges at Spain's southern border and the complex relationship between Spain and Morocco. The European Union expressed solidarity with Spain, while human rights groups called for the protection of migrants' rights. The crisis eventually subsided, but it left a lasting impact on Spanish-Moroccan relations.
