# Security and legal incidents in Ceuta > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-legal-incidents-in-ceuta > Updated: 2026-09-06T01:28:47.000Z. Sources: 84. Developments: 5. Tensions in Ceuta involving Moroccan nationals have manifested in both domestic and security-related incidents. In late August, a Moroccan man was arrested following an alleged assault on his partner near a desalination plant; both individuals were reportedly residing in the city without legal status. Following a coordinated ambush on a Spanish military patrol in the Benzú area, a Ceuta Criminal Court ordered the immediate expulsion of 11 Moroccan nationals. The individuals, part of a group of irregular migrants, admitted to throwing large stones at a vehicle carrying members of the Regulares military unit, resulting in injuries to four soldiers. Under a plea agreement, the defendants accepted a two-year prison sentence, which was substituted with immediate expulsion from Spain and a five-year ban on re-entry. One additional detainee remains in provisional custody after denying involvement, claiming to have been sleeping during the incident. In a separate security incident in the Foso Real area, another group of migrants reportedly threw stones at military personnel, wounding a sergeant and resulting in four additional arrests, including one minor. In response to the Benzú ambush, the association Hazte Oír has filed a complaint requesting a Ministry of Defense investigation into whether there was a “lack of operational protection” for the targeted personnel. On August 30, the Guardia Civil arrested three Moroccan nationals following an attack in the San Amaro area. The suspects allegedly threw bottles containing a corrosive liquid at soldiers during a period of heightened surveillance. On September 6, the Audiencia Nacional opened a criminal investigation into the mass irregular entry of migrants into Ceuta on July 30 and 31. Led by Judge María Tardón, the inquiry examines potential crimes against territorial integrity, organized crime, and citizen rights. ## Claims - More than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta via foot or swimming on July 30 and 31. (disputed by 5 sources) - Approximately 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta following the mass entry in late July. (disputed by 3 sources) - Approximately 9,000 migrants are currently distributed throughout the city of Ceuta. (disputed by 3 sources) - A total of 72,000 people from Morocco entered Ceuta during the migration crisis in July. (disputed by 3 sources) - A total of 12,870 students are scheduled to return to classes in Ceuta. (disputed by 3 sources) - The Spanish government will declassify approximately 40 documents related to the mass migration crisis in Ceuta. (disputed by 3 sources) - The Ceuta Criminal Court mandated the expulsion of eleven Moroccan nationals involved in a military ambush. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Four Spanish soldiers were injured during the ambush in the Benzú area. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Judge María Tardón has assumed jurisdiction to investigate the mass irregular entry of migrants into Ceuta. (corroborated by 9 sources) - A twelfth detainee denied involvement in the ambush and remains in provisional custody pending trial. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Ceuta migration crisis triggers Spanish National Court investigation Spain's National Court is investigating the July mass migration surge in Ceuta as a potential crime against state independence, citing evidence of Moroccan facilitation and hybrid warfare tactics. 61 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ceuta-21-migrants-deported-after-stoning-military-and-civil-guard-patrols ### 2026-09-03: Ceuta and Málaga police report multiple violent incidents Police in Ceuta have arrested a woman for the alleged stabbing death of her cousin and detained a man for threatening a soldier. In Málaga, a man was arrested for assaulting his partner and her friend. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ceuta-woman-arrested-for-alleged-fatal-stabbing-of-moroccan-man ### 2026-08-30: Ceuta: Three arrested after corrosive liquid attack on military Three Moroccan nationals were arrested in Ceuta after allegedly throwing bottles of corrosive liquid at military personnel stationed in the San Amaro area. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ceuta-three-arrested-after-corrosive-liquid-attack-on-military ### 2026-08-28: Ceuta: Eleven Moroccan nationals expelled after military ambush Eleven Moroccan nationals face expulsion from Spain after a pre-planned stone-throwing ambush on Spanish soldiers in Ceuta. A second attack in Foso Real resulted in one sergeant injured and four detentions. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ceuta-judicial-authority-deports-11-individuals-following-military-ambush ### 2026-08-24: Ceuta: Moroccan man arrested for alleged assault on partner A Moroccan man was arrested in Ceuta after allegedly assaulting his partner near a desalination plant. The victim reported a history of prior abuse during the investigation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ceuta-moroccan-man-arrested-for-alleged-assault-on-partner --- Cite as: Security and legal incidents in Ceuta. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-legal-incidents-in-ceuta