Thousands protest in Spain as Ceuta’s migration crisis festers a month on

What the report says

Thousands of people have protested across Spain over the migrant situation in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on the North African coast, with one of the largest rallies taking place in Madrid and additional demonstrations in Ceuta itself. The protests, which Al Jazeera reported occurred on Sept. 2, came as residents expressed anger over the strain on local resources and as migrants and asylum seekers continued to look for shelter, food and longer-term solutions.

The unrest follows the mass crossing into Ceuta on July 30 and 31, when more than 70,000 people entered from Morocco in an episode that the report said left at least 80 dead. Although many of those arrivals have since left, several thousand remain in the territory, including minors, and some have been sleeping on beaches or in emergency accommodation. The Spanish government has moved to expand housing and social support, but local criticism has centered on whether those steps are enough.

The crisis has also deepened political tensions in Spain. Ceuta’s regional leader has described the episode as a threat to territorial integrity, while national officials have accused opponents of using the issue to attack the government. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has blamed misinformation for encouraging crossings. Beyond politics, the report noted isolated violence, including clashes with police and attacks on migrant belongings, alongside appeals from aid groups for restraint and empathy.