Chaos broadens in Mediterranean as dozens die storming Spain’s Ceuta enclave

The European Union was plunged into another geopolitical crisis after dozens of migrants died trying to storm Ceuta in northern Africa.(CN) — A Mediterranean Basin already strewn with spillover conflict saw an ominous development on Friday after at least 57 migrants died trying to enter the fortified Spanish city of Ceuta on the coast of Morocco.Europe was rocked by extraordinary scenes as throngs of young men stormed Ceuta beginning on Thursday and lasting into Friday. Many of those scaling Ceuta’s defenses were seen in videos singing, cheering and kissing Ceuta’s ground.The number of dead rose from 16 early Friday to at least 57 by late in the day. Reports said Spanish and Moroccan police and border guards dispersed crowds with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets. Video showed authorities using batons to push back crowds.With a population of about 80,000, the city’s streets became overwhelmed.By late Friday, Spain said it had deported most of the migrants and sent military reinforcements to restore calm in the city, which lies on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar.Morocco has long challenged Spain’s right to occupy Ceuta and Melilla, a similar fortress city under Spanish rule closer to Morocco’s border with Algeria. There were reports of incursions in Melilla too, though on a far smaller scale. Morocco has been accused of pushing migrants toward the enclaves in the past. In 2021, about 10,000 people stormed Ceuta.During a visit to the territory Friday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the events as a “deplorable attack” and a “violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.”He did not directly accuse Morocco or any other state actor for being behind the migrant onrush, limiting himself to blaming migrant traffickers.Key details remain sketchy on what triggered the incident, but experts suspect animosity toward Sanchez may have played a role. The left-wing prime minster is one of the last liberals in power as Europe makes a rightward lurch.In June, Sanchez bucked nativist trends when he opened the way for 1.3 million migrants in Spain to apply to live and work in the country. Far-right forces accuse him of endangering the rest of Europe with his embrace of immigrants.Last week, Sanchez visited Algeria to restore diplomatic ties. The country has a longstanding rift with Morocco over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.President Donald Trump has also signaled approval of Morocco’s claim to Ceuta and Melilla. In April, a U.S. House Appropriations Committee report referred to Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish-administered cities “located in Moroccan territory," marking the first time Congress has cast doubt on Spanish sovereignty over the enclaves.Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon advisor, has publicly and repeatedly urged Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to formally recognize Ceuta and Melilla as “occupied Moroccan territory.” And far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a fierce opponent of migration, announced Friday that Italy would no longer allow free movement of people from Spain despite the EU’s Schengen Agreement.The open-borders policy — a linchpin of the EU project — was already under duress following the reappearance of border checks in Germany and Poland. As wars rage in Ukraine, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Yemen and the occupied Palestinian territories, the attack on Ceuta is the latest sign of spreading chaos and violence across Europe and the Mediterranean region.Courthouse News reporter Cain Burdeau is based in the European Union.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads