Multiple fires are being reported in a Moroccan port town bordering a Spanish territory, after violent riots broke out amid a mass migrant surge. The blazes are occurring in Beni-Enzar, a town adjacent to the frontier with the Spanish autonomous city of Melilla.
Vehicles Set Alight Amid Clashes
The fires are believed to have started during violent confrontations after thousands of migrants rushed the border between Morocco and Spain on Thursday, July 30. Footage and photographs circulating on social media show crowds of people along the breakwaters at an urban beach near a border checkpoint of Ceuta with Morocco. Additional clips show vehicles ablaze in Moroccan territory.
According to El Faro de Melilla, the fires are a consequence of deliberate fire-setting.
Ceuta and Melilla Under Pressure
The government of Ceuta, another Spanish territory, stated on Thursday that between 1,500 and 2,000 people had entered over the previous 10 days. Hundreds more were believed to have arrived on Thursday alone.
Ceuta and Melilla are located on the northern coast of Africa, at the tip of the Mediterranean. Both are autonomous cities of Spain and host the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Morocco does not formally acknowledge them as Spanish territory and frequently describes them as occupied territories.
Border Collapse Sparks Appeal for Reinforcements
Rachid Sbihi, head of the association representing Spain's Civil Guard officers who police the border in Ceuta, described the situation as "absolute chaos." He said exact numbers were impossible to provide, but stated: "There are thousands of migrants crossing." He added that the border had "totally collapsed."
Regional authorities in Ceuta have appealed to the central government in Madrid for additional support to handle the crisis. Spain's Interior Ministry, however, dismissed demands to declare a national emergency, saying the measure does not apply to migration crises. The ministry subsequently confirmed that the armed forces would deploy 60 troops to strengthen the border.
Deadly Crossings
The deteriorating situation follows a significant increase in migrants attempting to reach the small exclave, predominantly by swimming, on Wednesday. Police sources say at least 17 people have died while attempting to swim into Ceuta.
