The Spanish National Police launched a large-scale security operation on Tuesday morning to evict a migrant camp on Benitez Beach in the occupied city of Ceuta. The operation aimed to relocate the residents to the Temporary Care Center for Foreigners (CATE) to register and process their files. According to sources, the camp housed between 300 and 400 migrants, including two women, who lived in makeshift tents on the beach.
The eviction process began with the deployment of around 100 riot police officers, who asked the migrants to gather their belongings and leave the area. Initially, the migrants did not resist, but a group of 20-30 individuals managed to break through the security cordon and escape towards the city center. Police chased them, arresting some while others fled successfully.
After regaining control, the police reorganized the operation, gathering the migrants in groups and transporting them to buses waiting on the beach promenade. The migrants were then taken to the CATE center in the Tarajal area, where they would be registered, and their situations assessed before being directed to temporary accommodation in Loma Colmenar.
According to sources, the police used a translator to communicate with the migrants and explain the procedures, assuring them that the relocation did not imply deportation and that they could request asylum or opt for voluntary return to Morocco. The authorities justified the eviction due to security concerns, citing the proximity of a water outlet from a nearby dam.
The police presence was reinforced in the Benitez area to prevent migrants from returning to the evicted camp. The operation also involved the use of drones equipped with thermal cameras to monitor the area and detect any individuals attempting to enter the zone.
The eviction of the Benitez Beach camp comes amid ongoing concerns about migration in the region. The nearby Tramboline camp houses thousands of migrants, and authorities are working to manage the situation. The Spanish police operation aimed to address security concerns while providing an opportunity for migrants to access formal procedures.
The migrants relocated during the operation will undergo processing at the CATE center, where their situations will be assessed, and they will be provided with temporary accommodation. The Spanish authorities have assured that the migrants will have the opportunity to request asylum or opt for voluntary return to Morocco.
Key points
- The Spanish police operation involved relocating hundreds of migrants from the Benitez Beach camp to a temporary care center.
- The eviction was justified due to security concerns, including the proximity of a water outlet from a nearby dam.
- The migrants will undergo processing at the CATE center, where their situations will be assessed, and they will be provided with temporary accommodation.
