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Spain has announced temporary border checks on visitors arriving from Italy, a reciprocal measure in response to Italy’s own border restrictions. The decision follows a major migration surge last week when tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta, prompting Italy to implement border controls on travelers from Spain.
The Spanish interior ministry confirmed the checks will commence at midnight on Saturday and remain in effect until September 7, citing ongoing irregular migration pressures as the reason. The announcement came after Spanish officials warned Italy of potential countermeasures if it did not quickly reverse its border restrictions, which Spain’s foreign minister characterized as contrary to European unity and discriminatory toward Spanish citizens.
Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, rejected Spain’s demands and stated it would not reconsider its position until mid-August, when officials anticipate potential new arrivals in Ceuta. Italian authorities defended their measures as necessary for national security and border protection, refusing to accept what they described as external pressure regarding immigration control.
The dispute represents a rare conflict between the two EU and NATO allies. According to Spanish figures, approximately 72,000 people entered Ceuta during the rush, with around 70,000 subsequently returning to Morocco. However, the exact death toll remains disputed, with human rights organizations reporting significantly higher numbers than official Spanish accounts.
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Originally reported by Theguardian →
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