A suspected Moroccan drone strike has reportedly killed one of the most significant military leaders of the Polisario Front, further complicating the ongoing UN mediation efforts concerning Western Sahara. The Moroccan military's attack resulted in the death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, a pivotal figure in the struggle for an independent Western Sahara, along with two other armed members of the Polisario. Abdelaziz, the son of former Polisario Secretary-General Mohamed Abdelaziz, was reportedly operating near the 2,700-kilometer-long sand wall that Morocco claims as its territory. This incident exemplifies Morocco's increasing advantage in this asymmetrical conflict, bolstered by high-tech drone capabilities.
While there has been no official confirmation from Morocco regarding the strike, the Moroccan online portal Le Desk has reported the incident, citing multiple sources. The death of the 37-year-old Abdelaziz not only marks a dangerous escalation in armed conflict but also puts a strain on the United Nations' mediation efforts. According to media reports, it was anticipated that Abdelaziz would be groomed to become a new leader, following in the footsteps of his father, who passed away in 2016.
This drone attack coincided with a visit from UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who was attempting to revive stalled talks between the Polisario and Morocco at the Polisario headquarters located in refugee camps in southwestern Algeria. A previous attack by the Polisario on a Moroccan military base had brought negotiations to a standstill. The United States, under significant diplomatic pressure, has been actively working to persuade the Polisario Front to forgo its aspirations for an independent state and settle for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty in the former Spanish colony.
Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz had established close ties with Algeria, the Polisario's main supporter, where he received military training. Any resolution to the conflict seems unattainable without the backing of Algeria, Morocco’s regional rival. The deceased was a commander in one of the Polisario's key operational areas and a member of its National Secretariat.
The situation has been further exacerbated since the United States recognized Moroccan claims to Western Sahara in 2020 during the Trump administration, leading Morocco to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in return. Israel is one of Morocco's principal arms suppliers, particularly concerning drones. The recent attack, targeting a prominent Polisario figure, has drawn comparisons to Israel's targeted killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, as noted by various commentators.
According to Military Africa Magazine, Morocco possesses the largest arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles in Africa—equipped with Israeli, Turkish, and American drones—that can operate 24 hours a day and reach altitudes of up to 20,000 meters. With 104 such drones, Morocco outnumbers both Egypt and Algeria. However, these drone operations have often resulted in civilian casualties, including the deaths of three Algerian truck drivers in 2021, prompting Algeria to threaten military retaliation.
As reported by faz.net.
