In the wake of a Security Council resolution addressing the Sahara issue, Morocco has been confronted with a disturbing development. During the night of Saturday, October 28th, and Sunday, October 29th, 2023, four projectiles detonated in civilian neighborhoods in the town of Smara, located in southern Morocco.
These attacks resulted in one tragic loss of life and left three individuals injured, two of whom are in serious condition, along with significant material damages. Responding to this unsettling incident, the relevant public prosecutor’s office in Laayoune has initiated an investigation. Technical and ballistic analyses are currently underway to ascertain the precise nature and origin of the explosions.
Morocco, a nation that upholds the rule of law, remains committed to a rigorous investigation process and refrains from making prejudgments. The Moroccan government will provide an official statement as soon as the preliminary findings are available. In the interim, Moroccan authorities are displaying the utmost restraint and prudence in handling the situation.
Nevertheless, a body of credible, consistent, and compelling evidence strongly indicates the Polisario’s responsibility for these attacks. The Polisario, which unilaterally repudiated the 1991 ceasefire under the auspices of the UN, has been involved in armed hostilities against Moroccan territory.
First and foremost, the Polisario explicitly claimed responsibility for the attacks in their “war communiqué no. 901.” In this communiqué, the Polisario asserted that they had conducted armed assaults on Smara and caused casualties. Notably, a Polisario representative publicly acknowledged the content of this communiqué at the UN headquarters, immediately following the adoption of the Security Council’s Sahara resolution. He framed these actions as part of the “struggle” waged by this armed militia.
It is beyond dispute that these attacks deliberately targeted civilian neighborhoods, where families reside, and where no military or strategic installations are located. Even Smara airport, which is over 2 kilometers from the attack site, is a considerable distance away.
The Polisario’s acknowledgment of their involvement in the attack garnered significant international press coverage, with numerous articles reporting the incident, a fact unchallenged by the Polisario.
These attacks represent a direct threat to regional peace and security, a line that Morocco considers inviolable. In response, Morocco has remained steadfast in the face of these provocations, recognizing them as a misguided and perilous attempt to divert attention and exert pressure on the Security Council in the run-up to the adoption of its Sahara resolution.
Morocco refuses to be swayed or entrapped by these ill-conceived provocations. Nevertheless, Moroccan authorities are unwavering in their commitment to seeing the investigations through to their conclusion, ensuring that those responsible are identified, and the law is applied with unwavering rigor.
