Ceuta Border Now Guarded by Soldiers Who Must Salute Every Seagull Crossing Into Spain
Spain deploys a full ceremonial honor guard at the Ceuta frontier, requiring soldiers to present arms to every seagull, wave and piece of driftwood entering the country.
Spain has deployed a full ceremonial honor guard along the Ceuta frontier, with standing orders that every soldier must present arms and salute any seagull, wave or piece of driftwood crossing into Spanish territory.
The garrison at Benzú now numbers enough troops to form a continuous line from the shoreline to the ridge, each man required to snap to attention for a minimum of nine seconds per bird. A colonel explained that the protocol was extended to all airborne and floating objects «to leave no ambiguity about our commitment to the border.»
Drones and helicopters have been reassigned to drop ceremonial pennants on any seagull that hesitates mid-flight, while local police have begun dismantling the illegal market stalls on Playa del Trampolín and replacing them with a reviewing stand for the daily salute.
Pedro Sánchez, speaking from New York, said the measure proves Spain «takes every arrival seriously,» and has asked Morocco to explain why its own seagulls are not saluting back.
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