The advent of drone technology has revolutionized warfare, significantly altering traditional combat methods. In a region close to Spain, specifically in the hostile nation of Morocco, drones are being deployed in the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara, situated a mere few hundred kilometers from the Canary Islands. Meanwhile, Portugal is also advancing its military capabilities by constructing a drone carrier ship for its navy, outfitted with devices capable of launching aerial and underwater attacks. These developments underscore the increasing reliance on drone technology in contemporary conflicts.
In Ukraine, drones have become pivotal in targeting Russian refineries and ports, even impacting air traffic and oil exports in areas surrounding St. Petersburg. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces are utilizing drones to bombard enemy cities, showcasing the dual nature of drone warfare. In the Middle East, Houthi forces in Yemen and Iranian military units are employing similar tactics against neighboring countries. Drones represent a cost-effective tool in modern warfare, compelling nations like Israel, the United States, and Saudi Arabia to invest in significantly more expensive countermeasures.
Morocco has increasingly turned to drone technology since the resurgence of hostilities in Western Sahara at the end of 2020. This shift followed the Sahrawi people's frustration over Morocco's failure to adhere to its commitments to conduct a self-determination referendum. The first drone strikes occurred in 2021, targeting not only armed members of the Polisario Front but also civilians, including Sahrawis, Algerians, and Mauritanians. The drones acquired by Morocco originate from American, Israeli, and Chinese manufacturers and have the capability to conduct surveillance over Spanish territory.
Through the use of drones and landmines, Morocco has effectively minimized its own casualties, thwarting the Sahrawis' control over territories east of the walls erected since 1980 while keeping its troops protected. Recently, the Moroccan regime utilized a drone to assassinate Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, the fourth son of the late leader of the Polisario Front, Mohamed Abdelaziz (1948-2016), who was seen as a potential successor. This strike also resulted in the deaths of two other fighters and coincided with a visit from the UN envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to the region and the Tindouf camps in Algeria.
The circumstances surrounding the death of Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz raise questions about whether it was an opportunistic strike or a meticulously planned operation, including the sources of information and location that facilitated such an attack. Morocco's influence in Europe is palpable, as evidenced by the varied responses from different governments to comparable incidents, depending on the perpetrator.
On May 5, three projectiles launched by the Polisario Front landed on the outskirts of the Sahrawi city of Esmara. While there were no fatalities, this incident tarnished Morocco's participation in the African Lion 25 exercises, which involved 10,000 troops from 40 countries, including Spain, and were led by the United States in various locations across Morocco. In stark contrast, numerous countries—including Jordan, Qatar, the United States, and the European Union—condemned the attack. The Spanish embassy in Morocco issued a statement on May 9, following orders from Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, demanding respect for the ceasefire in the region.
The statement reaffirmed Spain's support for the negotiation process proposed by UN Resolution 2797, which positions Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara as a basis for dialogue, a stance that contradicts the principle of self-determination in pursuit of a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution. This reflects the position adopted by Pedro Sánchez's government in March 2022. However, as of this writing, the socialist government has yet to condemn the recent attack that resulted in fatalities, thus breaching the ceasefire.
Interestingly, while Spanish leftist factions vocally oppose territorial annexations by Israel in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, they remain silent regarding the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara, which is geographically closer to them. Some elements within the Spanish left advocate for boycotting Israeli products and rejecting Israeli scientists and artists visiting Spain, yet they extend their silence to the produce and seafood harvested from Western Sahara by Morocco, as well as to Spanish nationals collaborating with the regime of Mohammed VI, such as José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
From the assassination of Lahbib Abdelaziz, two conclusions can be drawn. The first is the failure of the Moroccan regime's strategy to impose its annexation plan through the recognition of a fictitious autonomy. Despite acceptance from the Sánchez government, as well as from Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron, the plan has not gained traction within essential international institutions such as the United Nations General Assembly and the African Union. For instance, MINURSO continues to be renewed, and the repeated calls from the UN Secretary-General for conflict resolution emphasize the fundamental principle of agreement between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Additionally, the Algerian regime, which is the main state supporter of the SADR, has not yielded to pressure from Morocco's allies.
The second conclusion pertains to the commitment of the Sahrawis to their national cause. While the offspring of various global oligarchies, including Russian, Ukrainian, Cuban, Venezuelan, Palestinian, and Moroccan elites, enjoy luxurious lives in the West, detached from the struggles of their compatriots, significant figures like Lahbib Abdelaziz have risked and ultimately lost their lives on the front lines. This indicates a strong sentiment for independence among the Sahrawis, posing a challenge for Rabat, as a united and resilient populace represents a serious concern.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan lobby remains active. At the Madrid Book Fair, Iberia Airlines hosted a roundtable discussion on June 10, where several Moroccans presented the occupied and exploited Sahara as "Moroccan Sahara." This endeavor has been supported by subsidies from the Spanish government, co-financed through the European Regional Development Fund aimed at peripheral regions, facilitating the transportation of goods in the Canary Islands, thereby contributing to the European integration process.
As reported by okdiario.com.
