Clash Over Migrants in Ceuta, Spain Reinstates Border Checks on Travelers from Italy

Amid rising tensions between the two European Union countries, Spain has decided to conduct border checks on all travelers arriving from Italy.

The restrictions will take effect at midnight and remain in force for one month. The decision comes a week after Italy introduced similar measures following the arrival of around 78,000 migrants from neighboring Morocco in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

The dispute deepened on Friday when Madrid called on Rome to lift the restrictions by Sunday. Italian authorities responded by saying they would not accept “ultimatums.”

Italy announced that, on the contrary, it intends to continue the border checks until at least August 15. According to Italy, Spain “expects a new wave of migration” toward Ceuta during that period.

However, Spanish authorities have not warned of a second wave of border crossings. According to El Pais, the reports were prompted by activity among Moroccan users on social media who are planning another attempt.

The Spanish prime minister’s office confirmed to the newspaper that the situation is being closely monitored, but that it does not expect the scenes from last week to be repeated.