Over 20 Ceuta migrants arrested for ‘attacking soldiers with rocks’ as Trump blasts Spain for ‘zero control’ over crisis

MORE than 20 migrants have been arrested in Ceuta for allegedly hurling rocks at a patrol of soldiers. It marks the latest flare-up in a series of violent incidents blighting the Spanish enclave following an influx of migrants last month. Migrants attempt to run past a Spanish soldier following mass migrant crossings in Ceuta Credit: Reuters An estimated 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta and have been staying in makeshift tents on the beaches Credit: Getty A group of 21 Moroccan migrants were detained for taking part in the alleged attack on Trampolín beach on Saturday. Police told local media that a fight broke out among young people before a group began launching rocks at a nearby military patrol. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The Civil Guard were called in for support but they too were targeted, according to reports. After the alleged attack, the Spanish Troops and Seamen’s Association (ATME) raised concerns over repeated incidents against members of the Armed Forces. Spanish soldiers question a migrant, following the crossings on July 30 Credit: Reuters Migrants sleep in the open on a street in Ceuta on 6 September Credit: EPA Just days earlier the Civil Guard arrested two migrants on Trampolín beach for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers. The Moroccan nationals, aged 20 and 30 years old, reportedly attacked the officers as they tried to break up a violent fight. Hundreds of migrants have settled on the beach in recent weeks after 72,000 Moroccans stormed the Spanish territory on July 30. The crisis has sparked mass protests across Spain as tens of thousands line the streets to slam the government’s response. Most read in The Sun Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been accused of abandoning residents in Ceuta after figures revealed there has been the equivalent of one sexual assault a day since the border breach. Several arrests have been made with the majority of suspects being Moroccan or Spanish, Ceuta’s chief prosecutor Silvia Rojas said. Both Ceuta locals and migrant girls are reportedly among the alleged victims. US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the debate, accusing Spain of having “ZERO” border control. Protesters stage a huge demonstration over the Ceuta migration crisis in Madrid Credit: Reuters Demonstrators clash with police in Barcelona Credit: Shutterstock Editorial In a post on Truth Social Trump wrote: “So sad what is happening in Spain, a country with ZERO control of its Border. WOW!” The government has constantly rejected claims it didn’t act fast enough in response to the Ceuta trouble. Tens of thousands of the migrants who entered the North African enclave voluntarily left and headed back to Morocco as those remaining were allowed to stay in makeshift camps after being rounded up by the army. Protests in Ceuta saw these camps set on fire as locals tried to drive the migrants away after weeks of issues. Fury also came after Sánchez allocated £265 million to support Ceuta’s social services – including funding migrant housing. Several counter-demonstrations were also held in some cities where participants accused protesters of racism. At least 145 migrants died after they crossed into Ceuta on July 30 and 31 – sparking mass panic for locals in the enclave. Comment now