Moroccan Sahara: Polisario Claims Terrorist Attacks on Smara and Attempts to Justify Them Before the UN
Brahim Ghali, Leader of Front Polisario, Justifies Recent Attacks on Moroccan Positions
Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Front Polisario, has sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, attempting to justify the recent attacks on Moroccan positions in the Smara region, citing a supposed right to “self-defense.”
In the correspondence, reported by Europa Press, Ghali openly admits to the operations conducted against the Moroccan Armed Forces, while condemning the international backlash prompted by these attacks. He specifically criticizes several countries’ stances denouncing these actions, labeling them as "irresponsible" and "inaccurate."
These statements come at a time marked by increasing international support for Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan as a credible and realistic solution to the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. Spain and the United States, in particular, continue to back Security Council Resolution 2797, which recognizes the Moroccan initiative as a serious basis for negotiation.
Facing growing diplomatic isolation, Ghali accuses Morocco of violating the 1991 ceasefire during the events at Guerguerat in November 2020. At that time, Rabat initiated a secure operation to restore free movement of civilians and trade at this strategic crossing, following provocations and blockades carried out by elements of the Polisario.
Ghali has also reiterated his accusations concerning Morocco’s use of drones—claims consistently denied by the Kingdom, which asserts that it acts strictly to defend its territorial integrity and protect its citizens against security threats in the region.
On the other hand, Morocco continues to enjoy increasing diplomatic support for its sovereignty over the Sahara, as several countries have opened consulates in Laâyoune and Dakhla, further solidifying international recognition of Moroccan claims over the territory.
