Migrants Breach Melilla Border Fence, Injuring Police and Sparking Quarantine Measures

Nearly 200 migrants stormed the fence from Morocco on Monday morning. Among them, 119 finally managed to enter Melilla, despite the actions taken by the Civil Guard and the Moroccan police to try to contain them, reports AFP.

To read: Hundreds of Migrants Storm Spanish Enclaves in North Africa

Five Civil Guard agents and one migrant were injured during the operation. The group of migrants was taken to the temporary stay center for migrants (CETI) where they were placed in quarantine in accordance with the current health protocol.

To read: Border Clash: 150 Migrants Repelled at Melilla, Spain; 9 Guards Injured

For years, Ceuta and Melilla have faced strong migratory pressure, which has worsened since 2020 with the closure of the Moroccan borders to limit the spread of the coronavirus. On May 17 and 18 last, Ceuta was shaken by the massive arrival of more than 10,000 Moroccans, mostly minors, causing an unprecedented migration crisis. According to the Spanish authorities, Morocco would have let these migrants enter the autonomous city in retaliation for the reception of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, in a hospital in Logroño.

However, the Spanish government delegation in Melilla welcomed on Monday the "active collaboration" of the Moroccan police in trying to prevent the entry of migrants into the autonomous city.