Incident Details and Police Response
According to reports, the incident took place in the Benzú area of Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city overseas. Around 5:30 AM, a team of four soldiers was en route to their surveillance post when they were surrounded by a group of approximately 30 to 40 people. The attackers threw large rocks at the military vehicle, causing significant damage.
To escape the assault, the four soldiers were forced to abandon their vehicle and flee on foot, but were continuously pursued and pelted with stones, resulting in various bruises. Following a 112 emergency call, the Spanish National Police and the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) launched a joint operation, rushing to the scene to conduct a search. During the operation, police successfully arrested 12 male Moroccan suspects. It is reported that some suspects attempted to escape by jumping into the sea, triggering a subsequent maritime search and capture operation. The investigation and search are ongoing.
Military Associations Protest, Ministry of Defense Criticized
This attack has provoked strong outrage from Spanish military rights groups, particularly the Association of Military Troopers (ATME) and the Union of Military Troops (UMT). In their statements, they vehemently condemned the ambush, highlighting the significant risks faced by soldiers on duty.
These groups criticized the Spanish Ministry of Defense for a ‘lack of foresight,’ failing to provide front-line soldiers with adequate legal protection and clear rules of engagement for such violent conflicts. They emphasized that soldiers facing danger ‘bare-handed’ and without legal backing exposes serious shortcomings in the military’s protection of its personnel.
Local Government Calls for Calm and Restraint
Following the incident, the Autonomous Government of Ceuta issued a public statement urging all citizens to remain calm and exercise restraint, emphasizing that resolving the current issues must be based on mutual trust and the maintenance of public order. Government officials stated that violence of any kind does not help solve problems and instead exacerbates the already tense social situation in the area.
Notably, echoing the ambush, another conflict occurred in the area on the same night. Some residents attempted to forcibly dismantle a temporary migrant camp, leading to a tense confrontation with the police who were there to maintain order. This series of events highlights the complex social and border management challenges in the Ceuta region.
