Sebta migrant camp dismantling puts more than 3,000 people in focus

Sunday 04 - 21:00

Spanish authorities have begun dismantling a major informal migrant settlement on El Tarajal beach in Sebta, deploying police and military-supported units in an operation involving thousands of people.

The operation began early Sunday morning, with Spanish National Police intervention units supported by a substantial security presence. More than 30 police vehicles were deployed alongside military vehicles, including BMR armored vehicles and a VAMTAC.

The settlement has grown rapidly in recent weeks. Spanish news agency EFE put the number of migrants affected at more than 3,000, while local police estimates cited by Spanish media suggested the population could exceed 3,500.

Evacuation carried out in stages

Authorities are conducting the dismantling progressively rather than attempting to clear the entire site at once. The first stage focused on the area close to the desalination plant, where officials sought to remove migrants and secure the surroundings of the infrastructure.

The scale of the settlement, combined with limited accommodation capacity in Sebta, has made a simultaneous evacuation impractical. Migrants removed from the beach are being transported by bus to the Temporary Reception Centre for Foreigners (CATE) in the Tarajal area.

There, authorities are carrying out identification and administrative procedures before deciding on the next stage of their placement or transfer.

The shortage of available accommodation remains a central challenge. Previous pressure on reception facilities has contributed to some migrants returning to coastal areas after being moved elsewhere.

Moroccan migrants offered voluntary return

The operation has also highlighted the growing role of voluntary returns to Morocco. According to Spanish media reports and local figures cited on Sunday, more than 150 Moroccan migrants transferred from the El Tarajal camp had opted to return through the border crossing.

A similar pattern emerged during the dismantling of the migrant camp on Benítez beach earlier in the week, although that operation was accompanied by disturbances.

The latest figures come as Spanish authorities report a broader increase in voluntary returns. Ángel Víctor Torres, Spain's minister for Territorial Policy and official responsible for unified coordination, was cited by local media as saying that more than 9,000 Moroccan nationals had voluntarily returned to Morocco since August 10.

Weather and sanitation add to authorities' concerns

The dismantling effort comes as Spanish authorities argue that remaining in makeshift coastal camps is becoming increasingly hazardous with the arrival of autumn.

Rain, strong maritime winds and the possibility of storms have raised concerns over the safety of people living in exposed areas. Spanish media have also reported worries about hygiene and water quality at the informal settlements.

The authorities therefore face a dual challenge: reducing the risks associated with deteriorating conditions while finding enough space in formal reception facilities to accommodate those being evacuated.

October deadline approaches

The Spanish government wants the El Tarajal camp to be completely dismantled by October 15. The timetable adds a political dimension to an operation already under pressure because of limited reception capacity.

The deadline comes shortly after a planned visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Sebta on October 13. The presence of thousands of migrants in informal coastal settlements has become one of the most visible consequences of the recent migration pressure on the city.

The current crisis followed a collective arrival of migrants in Sebta at the end of July, after which temporary camps emerged in several parts of the city.

The dismantling of El Tarajal is consequently more than a local clearance operation. It marks a new phase in Spain's response to the concentration of migrants in informal settlements, while voluntary returns to Morocco are becoming an increasingly significant component of the authorities' strategy.

With the October 15 target approaching, Spanish officials will have to balance the rapid removal of the remaining camps with the limited capacity of the city's reception system. The coming days are expected to bring further evacuation operations as authorities seek to bring the El Tarajal settlement to an end.