Recent Fatalities in the Western Sahara Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Western Sahara remains a critical issue, as confirmed by a recent statement from the Sahrawi army. On Sunday, three members of the Polisario Front were reported dead due to an attack attributed to Moroccan forces. Among the deceased is Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, a notable figure within the independence movement and the son of one of its historical leaders, Mohamed Abdelaziz.
Lahbib was born in 1989 in the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria and had been serving in the Sahrawi army since 2011. Throughout his career, he held several prominent positions within the political and military structures of the Polisario, including within the General Staff. Analysts had identified him as a significant contender to inherit his father's legacy, who led the Sahrawi movement from 1976 until his passing in 2016.
Political Implications and International Dialogue
As of now, Moroccan authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident, which, according to the Sahrawi army, occurred near the 2,700-kilometer separation wall erected by Rabat to prevent incursions by the Polisario into the occupied territories. This violent episode coincided with the visit of UN envoy Staffan de Mistura to the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria, aimed at revitalizing dialogue between Morocco and the Polisario, which has been stalled since last May. This standstill followed a Sahrawi offensive on a Moroccan military base that derailed negotiations previously facilitated by the United States.
The situation in Western Sahara has escalated since 2020, when Moroccan troops entered the demilitarized area of Guerguerat to dismantle a protest by Sahrawi activists blocking the sole road connecting Morocco with sub-Saharan countries. The Polisario deemed this action a violation of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the UN in 1991, prompting them to initiate military operations against the wall constructed by Morocco to secure its control over 80% of the territory.
Geographically, the eastern and southern strips of Western Sahara, constituting 20% of the region, are regarded by the Polisario as their 'liberated territories,' while the UN categorizes them as a 'buffer zone' that must remain demilitarized. Conversely, Morocco asserts its claim over these areas, consistent with its occupation of the former Spanish colony since 1975.
As reported by lavanguardia.com.
