Spain’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that two soldiers deployed in Ceuta were transferred to the Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla in Madrid and admitted as inpatients. On Thursday, the Ministerio de Defensa gave no details about the perpetrators, precise locations or timing of the assaults. The nature and severity of the injuries were also not officially disclosed.
According to reports by several Spanish media outlets, including Europa Press, the transfer took place by air. RTVE reported that Defence Minister Margarita Robles had visited the two soldiers in hospital. No detailed official account of what happened was initially available.
The admissions are linked to the tense migration situation in Ceuta since the end of July. Since then, armed forces units have maintained a smaller permanent presence there and supported security duties in the city. Local and national media have repeatedly reported incidents in which members of the armed forces, police and the Guardia Civil were allegedly attacked. So far, these accounts have come mainly from press reports and statements by associations; there is no consolidated official tally.
In a brief statement, the Defence Ministry reiterated its support for the injured soldiers and thanked the personnel deployed for their service. The Ministry drew no specific conclusions about possible changes to the operational plan in Ceuta. It also remained unclear whether investigations had led to any arrests or identifications.
Soldiers’ professional associations are again using the incidents to call for clear rules of engagement and additional protective measures for personnel deployed in Ceuta. Their demands seek clarification of the legal framework and equipment requirements; they do not, however, provide details of any specific instructions from the Ministry of Defence. The government and opposition in Madrid, for their part, point to the responsibilities of the security authorities and the need to establish the facts before drawing political conclusions.
On the information currently available, the transfer to Madrid and its confirmation by the Ministerio de Defensa are established facts; the exact circumstances of the attacks and the condition of those affected remain unclear. Further information from the authorities is expected in the coming days.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).