Four Moroccan migrants were arrested on August 29 in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta for allegedly throwing stones at a patrol of Spanish soldiers, officials said. During the incident, one soldier sustained an injury after falling while pursuing the assailants, according to a police spokesman. This event marks the second such clash in recent days in the North African territory.

Earlier in the week, authorities detained 12 Moroccan migrants for stoning a Spanish military vehicle in Ceuta, injuring one of the four soldiers inside. Local reports indicate that 11 of those arrested were subsequently deported to Morocco.

Ceuta has become a focal point of political and security tension since late July, when tens of thousands of migrants crossed the border from Morocco into the enclave over the course of two days. Though the majority of those migrants have since left, several thousand remain in Ceuta, navigating the densely populated territory and sleeping outdoors. Ceuta’s population is approximately 80,000.

The continued presence of migrants in the enclave has sparked protests among local residents, leading to clashes with police forces earlier this week. In response, the Spanish government urged for calm and increased efforts to manage the situation.

Madrid is actively seeking solutions to reduce the number of migrants in Ceuta while adhering to European Union and international asylum and migration regulations. Spain has requested assistance from several EU agencies, including Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency; Europol, the police cooperation agency; and the EU Agency for Asylum.

Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for migration, stated that the EU is reviewing Spain’s request and aims to respond swiftly. He described the situation in Ceuta as “challenging,” underscoring the complexity facing both Spain and the European Union in addressing the ongoing migrant presence in the enclave.