One month after the mass border crossings from Morocco remains Ceuta overwhelmed. According to official figures from the central government around 72,000 people arrived in the Spanish exclave on 30 and 31 July; 90 to 95 per cent are said to have returned to Morocco over the following two days. Madrid most recently put the number remaining in the city at around 5,000. The city authorities gave figures that differed in some cases. Reception capacity is exhausted, temporary shelters and informal settlements define the cityscape, and municipal services remain under sustained pressure.
In response, the Council of Ministers adopted two legal instruments at the end of August, which were published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado . The Real Decreto 681/2026 of 25 August classifies the situation in Ceuta as a matter of national security. The Real Decreto 705/2026 of 26 August sets out responsibilities, resources to be deployed and coordination mechanisms. Both texts establish a formal framework for civil and security operations on the ground; the interior and defence ministries will decide on specific operational adjustments as events unfold.
At the same time, tensions have risen in parts of the population. In the last week of August, thousands gathered, according to estimates by local media, outside the Delegación del Gobierno for a peaceful demonstration. They called for a more visible security presence, faster returns after the border crossings and more reliable information. Further demonstrations were cancelled at short notice to prevent extremist groups from appropriating them. Police reported isolated incidents, but no widespread outbreak of violence was reported.
The authorities’ focus has now shifted from the border near Tarajal to the city. Aid organisations are running emergency shelters and support centres; the city council is pressing for additional accommodation capacity outside Ceuta. Observers point out that both humanitarian assistance and asylum and immigration procedures take time. How many of those affected will be accommodated permanently on the Iberian Peninsula or return to their countries of origin or transit depends on individual procedures and bilateral cooperation with Morocco.
What is clear is that the events of 30 and 31 July mark an exceptional situation whose effects continue to weigh on Ceuta. While the security framework created by Madrid structures the response, key figures – particularly the number of people currently remaining in the city – continue to depend on ongoing counts and movements. Politicians and officials are urging patience; local groups are calling for tangible relief in the coming weeks.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).