The Ministry of Defence has ordered soldiers in Ceuta to remove their name tags from uniforms, leaving only rank insignia visible on their anti-fragmentation vests. The order was sent in writing to the Comandancia General de Ceuta. Officials describe the risk level in Ceuta as extreme, while resources remain stretched thin.
Violence against soldiers has spiked. Troops have faced ambushes and stone attacks, and have also been threatened with knives while on duty. OKDIARIO reviewed the internal document, which says that during operation CM-26, no personal data should appear on uniforms. The measure aims to stop attackers identifying individuals and limit the risks from people filming soldiers on the street.
Many soldiers see the order as a bitter pill. Military sources told OKDIARIO they feel abandoned by the government: they lack firearms and sufficient backup, and are barred from using force. One soldier put it bluntly: “They wash their hands by removing our identification and giving us pepper spray.” Some accept the anonymity as a small shield, but it does little to address the real danger.
On the Spanish mainland, troops carry service weapons during maneuvers. In Ceuta, most have only batons and, now, pepper spray. The Legion and Regulares units have started patrols with pepper spray. They are instructed to use it only in self-defense, and only when necessary and proportionate. Cavalry units are still waiting for their supply. Infodefensa and other Spanish defense outlets report that arming patrols in Ceuta remains tightly restricted. Some patrols receive just one rifle for every four soldiers, a rule that does not apply elsewhere.
Soldiers say they cannot keep Ceuta’s streets safe or protect themselves from frequent attacks by undocumented migrants. Some have suffered broken bones and dislocated knees in group assaults involving fists and weapons such as stones or knives. Two soldiers were recently flown to Madrid because their injuries were so severe. Military vehicles are often hit with rocks, and attackers know troops are unlikely to fight back.
Demands for change are growing. On 16 September, more than 1,500 people marched in Ceuta. The protest drew soldiers and their families, alongside local residents. Police and civil guards joined them, calling the conditions “humiliating” and demanding the right to defend themselves. The Association of Tropa y Marinería (ATME) is leading the push to arm every soldier with a rifle. It also wants soldiers recognized as an authority and given legal protection for high-risk work. The government currently allows only one rifle for every four to six soldiers on patrol. Only a few units have begun to see this rule change.
Even when rifles are issued, some patrols must leave them in vehicles when they get out. Troops outside supermarkets have only batons and pepper spray. Soldiers do not have authority status and can detain suspects only for a short time. They cannot arrest people or identify them, and they cannot clear the streets of undocumented migrants.
The mental strain is rising. Soldiers born in Morocco or with family there fear extortion and pressure from across the border. Some have sent relatives to mainland Spain for safety; others worry about their homes being taken over, something that has already happened to some neighbors. The legal grey zone surrounding their role leaves many anxious, as any action could be twisted and used against them in court. ATME says clear legal protection is needed before soldiers are asked to support law enforcement.
As reported in a previous investigation, the Spanish military has faced red tape and operational hurdles in other high-risk deployments. That points to a pattern of official hesitation over giving troops the tools they need, along with support for sensitive missions.
Despite repeated calls, the government has not met the basic demands of those on the ground. ATME warns that poor recognition and worsening conditions are driving away new recruits, putting the future of Spain’s armed forces at risk. The Ceuta deployment shows a sharp gap between official policy and the daily reality for those guarding Spain’s borders. Unless the government moves beyond surface fixes, the risks for soldiers and the country will only grow.
