Police sources cited by ABC and El Español said between 12 and 14 Moroccan army members were identified among people staying at El Trampolín beach, with some saying they had deserted.
Authorities cleared the El Trampolín beach encampment in Ceuta in an operation involving Spain’s National Police, Civil Guard and armed forces. ABC estimated that more than 3,000 people had gathered there. El Español, citing police sources, reported that between 12 and 14 Moroccan military personnel were identified.
According to the reports, the men acknowledged serving in Morocco’s army and told Spanish officers that they had deserted and feared reprisals if they returned. ABC said some officers were skeptical of that account. The available reports do not include independent official confirmation of their military status or the circumstances of their presence in Ceuta.
About 300 public-order police officers took part in clearing the site. ABC reported that migrants were taken by bus to a point near the Moroccan border, where authorities explained their options. The newspaper said at least 1,100 people had returned voluntarily. Some migrants interviewed by Cadena SER disputed that their return was voluntary.
Spanish outlets have also reported migrants hiding in parts of the city and police investigations into intermediaries allegedly offering transport to mainland Spain. Those claims are attributed to sources and do not establish that any specific person committed a crime.