Thousands of migrants stormed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Thursday, swimming around border fences and using inflatable boats to land at Tarajal. Video showed crowds walking around breakwaters onto local roads, while others climbed walls and security fences. Rachid Sbihi, head of the association representing Spain's Guardia Civil in Ceuta, said: "The situation is absolute chaos."
Sbihi added: "It's not possible to give precise numbers, but there are thousands of migrants crossing," and noted that the border had "totally collapsed."
Farage Warns of 'Battle for Our Civilisation'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned that many migrants could attempt to reach Calais and cross the English Channel. He said: "It's time to wake up everybody. Tens of thousands, maybe more, breaking into that little part of Spain, the authorities seemingly powerless to act."
He added: "Yes, of course, they have declared a state of emergency, but bear this in mind, earlier this year, Spain gave an amnesty to half a million people who had illegally got into the country. The messages from Spain are clear – come in, and you will be allowed to stay. Some of you may remember a poster I put out 10 years ago called Breaking Point, where I showed vast numbers illegally breaking into the European Union."
Farage continued: "I made the point that if you voted for Brexit, we will have the power to stop those people coming here. Sadly, the Tories failed us and Labour have failed us. Unless we get a Reform Government, those scenes you are seeing in Spain today – many of those young men, lots of them dangerous, will be heading towards Calais and coming to our country. This is a battle for the future of our civilisation. I can't put it any more plainly than that."
Reform's home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, said: "Thousands of migrants are invading Spanish territory. Many will now make their way to enjoy Britain's welfare state. We must secure our borders. It's Reform or bust."
Spain Deploys Troops
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged an "immediate response." Spain's Interior Ministry announced that the armed forces would send personnel to Ceuta to support border guards, stating: "The Armed Forces will reinforce the Guardia Civil in the exercise of its powers and any others that may be necessary to maintain civil security in the city of Ceuta."
