ATME denounces a new attack on soldiers in Ceuta after an attack with stones

The Spanish Troops and Sailors Association (ATME) has denounced a new attack against military personnel deployed in Ceuta. The incident occurred last night, around 10:00 p.m., when a patrol was attacked with stones in the area of Trampolín Beach, near Benzú.

According to the statement released by the association, around 22 people participated in throwing stones at the military personnel, and the intervention by security forces resulted in the arrest of 21 of them.

ATME has once again expressed its concern over the succession of attacks suffered by members of the Armed Forces in Ceuta and has urged the government to take measures to guarantee their protection while performing their duties.

"We continue to lament the attacks suffered by our Armed Forces, and this happens because they are not vested with sufficient authority to carry out their work effectively and firmly," the association states, demanding that the government recognize military personnel as law enforcement agents and classify their activity as a high-risk profession.

"We cannot remain in this situation," ATME warns, posing a question: "How much longer must we wait until we see a military personnel member killed?" The association demands this recognition so that military personnel "can react in a timely and appropriate manner."

The attack occurred just one week after two similar incidents recorded in the autonomous city. On August 29, the Civil Guard arrested four men of Moroccan nationality, one of them a minor, following a second ambush on military personnel in just two days. According to investigation sources cited at the time by EL MUNDO, the attackers had prepared the assault and were waiting for the patrol to pass.

In that ambush, a sergeant was slightly injured, as confirmed by ATME. The attackers threw stones indiscriminately at the group of military personnel, who, according to the association's report, were unarmed and lacked the necessary equipment to protect themselves from the attack.

The incident occurred two days after another attack. In the early hours of August 27, 12 immigrants were arrested after assaulting an Army vehicle with stones and injuring four military personnel. The attackers also reportedly used sticks and knives during the incident. Subsequently, a judge ordered the expulsion of eleven of those arrested.