Spanish authorities have started relocating hundreds of migrants from beaches in Ceuta to a newly established temporary camp near the port, as officials seek to bring the territory’s migrant population under closer control.
The transfer operation began around 07:00 local time on Friday, with more than 3,000 people reportedly scheduled to move through a designated 2km route, according to Spain’s state news agency Efe.
The exercise was met with disorder as groups of migrants pushed against police lines while attempting to reach the new facility.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire, with police reportedly firing shots into the air as officers struggled to manage the crowds.
Several hundred people had arrived at the camp, which has room for about 1,700 occupants.
More than 170 security personnel, including specialist drone teams, were deployed for the operation.
Efe reported that officers eventually restored order, allowing the relocation process to proceed.
The government says the initiative is intended to gather migrants in one location where they can receive assistance, undergo identification and have their individual immigration situations assessed.
The developments follow a major influx into Ceuta in July, when approximately 72,000 people crossed from Morocco.
Local authorities estimate that about 13,000 migrants are still in the Spanish enclave, although the central government believes the actual figure is considerably smaller.
The situation has intensified political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose administration has faced criticism over its response to the border crisis.
Residents of the small 18.5-square-kilometre territory have also raised concerns about security and the impact of the arrivals.
Some locals have dismantled temporary shelters and obstructed the delivery of assistance.
Ceuta Mayor Juan Jesús Vivas previously described the situation to members of the European Parliament as a severe strain on the city, saying residents’ daily lives had been significantly disrupted.
Opposition politicians have further accused Sánchez’s government of failing to act despite intelligence warnings about planned mass crossings.
Sánchez has rejected claims that the influx could have been predicted, while government records indicate that intelligence officials had detected social-media messages encouraging a large-scale entry into the enclave.
People’s Party representative Ester Muñoz blamed the government for the crisis and deaths associated with the crossings.
Sánchez, however, has attributed the events partly to organised trafficking networks as well as false information circulating online.
The episode has also complicated Spain’s diplomatic relations. Madrid is seeking to preserve cooperation with Morocco while tensions have emerged with Italy following the extension of temporary border restrictions between the two countries.
The July arrivals followed a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta could not simply be sent back to Morocco without due process.
Following the judgment, online posts allegedly promoted crossings into Spain and offered assistance for hundreds of pounds.
Large numbers subsequently attempted to breach the border barrier or swim around maritime obstacles.
Local officials say at least 100 people lost their lives during the mass crossing.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong