Italy suspends Schengen agreement with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis

Italy has announced the suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain due to the irregular migration crisis that unfolded yesterday in Ceuta, according to Al Arabiya.

Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for Spain's suspension from the Schengen area after hundreds of irregular migrants entered Ceuta. She stated on X that her government is preparing exceptional measures, including suspending the Schengen agreement with Spain.

Meloni described the images of migrants arriving in Ceuta as "shocking," noting that many, including children, were forced to swim to reach the city.

She added that the Spanish government's decision to grant Spanish—and thus European—citizenship to more than 500,000 irregular migrants was a "grave mistake," arguing it encouraged human trafficking.

Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the far-right League party Matteo Salvini called for the suspension of the Schengen agreement and for defending Europe's borders.

Finland has also supported Italy's request to exclude Spain from the Schengen area in light of the Ceuta crisis, according to Spain's AS newspaper.

Spain has taken security and military measures to contain the migration crisis in Ceuta, deploying army units to support security forces after an unprecedented mass crossing prompted authorities to act. The crisis has had repercussions across several EU countries, fueling debate over the future of the Schengen agreement.

According to Spain's Interior Ministry, around 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within 24 hours, marking one of the largest crossings ever recorded in the city, which lies in northern Morocco and serves as a key land entry point between Africa and the European Union.

Spanish authorities explained that the military deployment aims to support police and civil guard forces after the influx exceeded the capacity of local agencies, stressing that law enforcement remains the responsibility of security forces, according to the Associated Press.

Alongside security measures, Madrid has strengthened coordination with Morocco to curb migrant flows, as Moroccan territory is the main departure point for those heading to Ceuta, which, along with Melilla, forms the principal land gateway between the EU and Africa.

Human losses and humanitarian pressures

The mass crossing coincided with casualties among those attempting to reach the city. International reports indicated that at least 18 migrants died—some by drowning, others in stampedes—while trying to cross the border. Local authorities have faced mounting pressure due to the large influx, according to the Associated Press.

The high number of arrivals has also raised concerns about the capacity of reception centers to accommodate migrants in such a short period.