Situation Still Tense in Ceuta With Thousands of Migrants Hiding From Security Forces
5th August 2026
Despite repeated assurances from the Spanish government that the migration crisis in Ceuta is easing, residents of the Spanish exclave say the emergency is far from over. While Madrid maintains that most of the migrants who crossed into the city from Morocco have already left, accounts from local residents, the city government and regional media paint a different picture.
Although daily life is slowly returning to normal after businesses shut their doors during the weekend emergency, thousands of migrants are reportedly still in Ceuta, hiding from security forces deployed throughout the city.
The city government says reception centers remain overwhelmed, operating at 2872% above capacity. At the same time, videos allegedly showing remaining migrants shouting “Allahu Akbar” have reignited public debate on the integration of Muslim immigrants in Europe.
Local reports indicate that many migrants have fled into the wooded hills, forests and beaches surrounding Ceuta to avoid being returned to Morocco. According to the Spanish newspaper ABC, groups of around 20 young men have established makeshift camps around the city.