Hundreds of Migrants Cross Barbed Wire Fences to Reach Spain
Hundreds of African migrants successfully crossed the six-meter-high barbed wire fences of Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city, and attacked border officials to reach European Union soil. All these migrants were young men from West African countries.
Hundreds of African migrants without legal documents crossed the border by scaling the six-meter-high barriers and reached the autonomous city of Ceuta, which belongs to Spain, entering the territory of the European Union. Spanish media reported that this action was one of the most unprecedented assaults by asylum seekers on this city in recent years.
The spokesperson for Ceuta’s police announced that the illegal migrants were all young men from West African countries and their action was “the most violent and unprecedented attack by migrants” on this city.
It is reported that in this assault, between 400 to 600 African migrants “suddenly and with extreme violence” climbed over the barbed wire fences and, after crossing them and attacking border officials, reached the European Union.
In their assault to reach the European Union, migrants used wooden sticks, scissors, and bottles containing homemade incendiary materials. The International Red Crescent has announced that following this incident, 592 migrants and 22 police officers were placed under medical care.
It is reported that some migrants threw substances at Spanish border officials that caused dangerous chemical burns to their skin upon contact. Electric saws were also used to cut through the barbed wire fences during this raid.
Spanish television channels are broadcasting videos showing migrants celebrating after crossing the barbed wire fences, waving flags and all singing: “Busa, Busa, Busa (Victory, Victory, Victory)”
It is also reported that the migrants’ celebration comes despite the fact that they typically have to stay for months in preliminary asylum reception centers in Ceuta before being allowed to enter mainland Spain.
A few days ago, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that Spain has become a new destination for migrants. Since the beginning of the current calendar year (2018), more than 22,700 people have successfully made their way to Europe through the new western Mediterranean Sea route.
Until recently, the issue of asylum seekers in Spain was not given much importance. However, with the recent assault by hundreds of migrants on the city of Ceuta to reach the European Union, tensions between different parties in the country’s parliament regarding migrants have intensified.
The city of Ceuta is located on the northern coast of the African continent and shares a land border with Morocco. Ceuta lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Ceuta, along with Melilla, is one of two Spanish cities located within mainland African territory. Morocco considers Ceuta and Melilla to be part of its own territory. Thousands of poor citizens from sub-Saharan African countries have gathered near these two cities and want to reach them and ultimately the European Union by any means possible.
Source: DW
