Spain sends troops to Ceuta after 49,000 migrants cross from Morocco

On July 31, 2026, Spain deployed military forces to its North African enclave of Ceuta after an estimated 49,000 migrants crossed the border from Morocco within 24 hours. The surge resulted in at least 18 deaths as people attempted to breach the border. Spanish and Moroccan authorities worked together to halt the rush, which has been described as a deadly migrant crisis. The military deployment aims to restore control in the enclave, which has faced an unprecedented influx.