Four migrants arrested in Ceuta over stones at soldiers

Four Moroccan migrants were arrested in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on Saturday after stones were thrown at a patrol of Spanish soldiers, a police spokesman told AFP.

The spokesman said one soldier fell and injured himself while pursuing the assailants.

It was the second such incident reported in Ceuta in recent days. On Thursday, 12 Moroccan migrants were arrested after stones were thrown at a Spanish military vehicle, injuring one of its four occupants. Local reports said 11 of those 12 were deported to Morocco.

Ceuta has been under pressure since tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the enclave from Morocco on July 30 and 31. Most later left, but thousands remain in the territory, including people sleeping on beaches and streets.

Residents protesting against the continued presence of migrants clashed with police on Thursday, prompting Spain's government to appeal for calm.

EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner said on X on Saturday that Spain had asked for help from Frontex, Europol and the EU Agency for Asylum. He said the European Union was working on the request and would take a swift decision, calling the situation in Ceuta “challenging”.