▲ Migrants move toward the Spain-Morocco border under the control of Spanish soldiers on the 2nd.
Following the mass influx of Moroccan migrants, residents in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa are expressing growing concerns over the region's vulnerability.
According to the French daily Le Figaro on the 2nd (local time), Ceuta is slowly restoring public order as the Moroccans have returned, but the shock and turmoil brought by the sudden wave of migrants continue to shake the local community.
The tension spreading across the city has escalated into conflicts among residents.
Alvaro, who identified himself as a supporter of Spain's far-right party Vox, raised his voice, blaming all these problems on left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has pursued an open-door policy toward migrants.
"They refuse to understand that we cannot open our doors to everyone," Alvaro said. "If all the Moroccans flood in, we will have no choice but to flee."
Nearby, dozens of left-wing protesters gathered to denounce the local community for giving a cold reception to those who crossed the border.
However, Hugo, who leans left, also expressed concern over the migrant intrusion, saying, "We must find a way to live together with our neighbors. Otherwise, we will never achieve peace."
According to Spanish authorities, most of the approximately 60,000 migrants who flocked to Ceuta late last month have returned to Morocco.
However, some Moroccans are evading police checks and holding out in Ceuta's Moroccan-descended residential areas.
"They are helping us out a little bit," said Jawad, 35. "I will never go back. I'd rather die."
Yet their situation remains far from easy.
Although shops that had been closed for days have resumed operations, armored vehicles and soldiers stand guard in front of major stores, and police chase away migrants desperately trying to approach them.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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