Tensions flared in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta on Friday as police moved a group of migrants to a temporary accommodation camp in the port area.
Police officers used batons as they directed the migrants, most of whom were young Moroccan men, towards the facility, according to reports from the scene.
The temporary camp has a capacity of about 1,700 people and is intended to accommodate migrants while they undergo processing by Spanish authorities.
Its use had been delayed by a court decision, but the ruling was overturned on Thursday, clearing the way for authorities to begin transferring migrants to the facility.
The move comes amid mounting pressure on Ceuta following a mass influx of migrants from neighbouring Morocco in late July.
The arrival of thousands of migrants has intensified tensions between Ceuta’s local authorities and Spain’s central government over how to manage the humanitarian and logistical challenges created by the influx.
The situation has also renewed debate across Europe over migration and border management, with the mass crossing triggering political disagreements over responsibility for migrants arriving in the Spanish territory.
Ceuta, which is surrounded by Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Mediterranean, has long been a key entry point for migrants seeking to reach European territory.
Authorities are now facing the challenge of providing temporary accommodation and basic services while processing the migrants and determining their legal status.
The humanitarian situation has added to concerns over overcrowding and the capacity of local authorities to cope with the sudden increase in the migrant population.
