MADRID/ROME – Spain announced on Friday that it would temporarily restore internal border checks for travelers arriving from Italy in response to Rome's refusal to lift border controls on travelers arriving from Spain amid the recent migration crisis in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.

The temporary checks at ports and airports will take effect at the start of Saturday and remain in force until Sept 7 unless circumstances change, according to a statement released by the Spanish government. The measures will include random identity and document checks.

The Spanish government said Italy had unilaterally reintroduced border checks on travelers arriving from Spain on Aug 1 without prior notification, describing the measures as "unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union (EU)".

Spain described the decision by Italy as unprecedented in recent history, saying it was adopted unilaterally, without prior notice, and on grounds that did not comply with the Schengen Borders Code.

Spain urged Italy to lift border checks on travelers from Spain before the end of Sunday, warning that it would otherwise adopt "proportionate measures" to protect the interests and dignity of Spanish citizens.

Moreover, Spain said migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly last week could not freely enter the Schengen area because the enclave is subject to a special regime, adding that almost all of them had already returned to Morocco.

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Earlier Friday, the Italian government said it would maintain temporary checks on third-country nationals arriving from Spain until at least Aug 15, citing national security and border-management concerns.

Rome said it "does not accept ultimatums or external pressure" on matters concerning national security and border management.

It also stressed that the controls do not apply to Spanish or other EU citizens traveling by air or sea, adding that Italian border authorities would seek to minimize disruption to legitimate cross-border travel.

The temporary measure will remain in place until authorities are certain that there are no security or terrorism risks to Italy, no new large-scale migration waves toward Europe, and no irregular migrants heading to Italian territory via Spain, the government said.

Italian authorities noted that Spanish officials have warned of a possible new wave of migrant arrivals in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta around Aug 15, adding that the situation will be reassessed only after related security risks have been ruled out.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the border control measures on July 31 following a massive influx of migrants into Ceuta. About 80,000 people entered the Spanish enclave at the end of July, nearly 75,000 of whom subsequently returned voluntarily.

Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, overwhelming reception facilities and creating a severe humanitarian emergency, Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas said Thursday.

The influx has fueled tensions among EU member states over border controls and the possible onward movement of migrants within the Schengen area.