Hours earlier, Spain warned Italy of countermeasures unless it swiftly lifted its border checks
Spain announced on Friday it would introduce temporary border checks on travellers from Italy in response to Rome imposing similar measures after a mass migrant rush into Ceuta.
The checks, which come “amid the persistent irregular migration pressure” facing Italy, will start at midnight on Saturday and last until 7 September, Spain’s interior ministry said in a statement.
Hours earlier, Spain threatened Italy with countermeasures if it did not swiftly lift its own border checks, drawing a rebuff from Rome.
The rare spat between the EU and NATO allies came after tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco to Spain’s North African territory in late July in an unprecedented, deadly rush.
