Beni Enzar Border Closed in Melilla After Attempted Crossing
- The Beni Enzar border crossing, the only operational transit point between Spain and Morocco in Melilla, was closed on July 30, 2026, following an attempted mass entry.
- Reports from Efe indicated that gunfire was heard in the border zone during the incident.
- Spanish security forces deployed to the perimeter to manage the attempted crossing.
The Beni Enzar border crossing, the only operational transit point between Spain and Morocco in Melilla, was closed on July 30, 2026, following an attempted mass entry. The government delegation in the Autonomous City of Melilla ordered the closure at 10:35 p.m. and advised citizens to avoid the perimeter to ensure security forces could operate without interference.
Reports from Efe indicated that gunfire was heard in the border zone during the incident. Spanish police officers were observed removing several groups of people from the frontier area after an attempted “run” to enter the city.
Security Response at the Beni Enzar Border
Spanish security forces deployed to the perimeter to manage the attempted crossing. According to the government delegation in Melilla, the closure was necessary to maintain order and facilitate the work of the Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad (Security Forces and Corps). Police focused on clearing the border zone by escorting groups of individuals away from the fence.
The incident involved a coordinated attempt to breach the border, characterized by individuals running toward the Spanish enclave. Efe reported the sound of shots being fired in the vicinity of the crossing during the confrontation.
Context of Border Tensions in Melilla
Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city located on the north coast of Africa, maintains a heavily fortified border with Morocco. The Beni Enzar crossing serves as the primary legal point of entry and exit for pedestrians and vehicles between the enclave and the Moroccan mainland.