Spain to Reimpose Border Checks on Travelers from Italy

Spain announced on August 2 that it will impose temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Italy, in response to Rome's similar move following a wave of migrants from Morocco into the North African city of Ceuta.

According to Spain's Interior Ministry, the checks will begin on Saturday midnight (August 3) and last until September 7, as Italy faces prolonged and unusual migration pressure.

Just hours earlier, Spain threatened retaliatory measures if Italy did not promptly lift the border controls it had imposed, but Rome rejected the demand.

The rare tension between the two EU and NATO allies stems from events on July 30-31, when tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, in an unprecedented migration wave that caused casualties.

The situation angered several EU countries with hardline stances on irregular migration, including Italy. Italy suspended for one month its participation in the Schengen free-movement agreement with Spain.

The Spanish government on August 2 criticized the measure as "unfair, contrary to EU interests, and discriminatory against Spanish citizens."

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called it "a torpedo fired at the hull of European unity." He urged Italy to "correct its course, end the checks, and treat Spaniards like other European citizens," while threatening "proportionate measures" before the Sunday deadline if Italy did not comply.

Within hours, the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared it had "no intention of reconsidering the decision" before August 15, when Italian authorities believe Spain expects a new wave of migrants into Ceuta.

"Italy does not accept ultimatums or external impositions regarding national security and border control," the statement read. "Only when we are certain there is no security or terrorist risk to Italy, no new migration wave, and no irregular migrants heading to European territory, will the decision be reconsidered."

Italy shares no land border with Spain but has imposed checks at maritime and air entry points for third-country nationals arriving from Spain. The move, announced on July 31, was described as an "exceptional measure" to "protect national security and prevent possible repercussions," according to Meloni.

Meloni was among EU leaders who called for suspending Spain's participation in the Schengen area following the Ceuta events, even though such a measure is legally unfeasible.

According to official Spanish data, of the 72,000 people who entered Ceuta, 70,000 returned to Morocco. Spanish authorities confirmed 80 deaths during the crossings, while Moroccan human rights organizations estimate the actual toll is higher, possibly at least 141 deaths as of August 2.

Morocco's Interior Ministry reported 11 deaths on its side of the border, mostly by drowning. The remaining people in Ceuta, including hundreds of unaccompanied children, are living in harsh conditions with shortages of food, water, and shelter.