Police Begin Major Operation to Clear Migrants from Ceuta Beaches

Spanish riot police and military personnel have launched an operation to remove thousands of migrants from beaches in the North African enclave of Ceuta and relocate some of them to temporary accommodation.

Spain estimates that about 10,000 migrants remain in Ceuta after more than 72,000 people crossed into the territory from Morocco in late July during an unprecedented border rush. Most of those who crossed have since left.

The operation began shortly before 7 a.m. local time on Friday. Police used batons and fired rubber bullets into the air after clashes broke out among migrants competing for the limited spaces available in temporary shelters.

Authorities have established temporary accommodation at the port with capacity for around 1,700 adult men. However, aid organisations say thousands of migrants remain without proper shelter and are sleeping in makeshift camps on beaches and pavements.

Most of the migrants are men and boys. Minors are being separated from adults and accommodated separately because the new temporary facility is intended for adult men.

Several non-governmental organisations said authorities had been slow to provide adequate shelter and that existing reception centres lacked enough space to accommodate everyone still living outdoors.

One NGO estimated that around 4,000 migrants remained on beaches and public pavements. Some aid groups believe Spanish authorities may be expecting many of the migrants to return voluntarily to Morocco.

The operation involved Spanish riot police and military personnel, who escorted migrants along a route of about one kilometre from the beaches to the temporary camp at the port.

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