A tragic event unfolded in Smara, Western Sahara, as four explosions led to one death and three injuries. The incident escalates tensions in the region, long disputed by Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front.
RABAT – Moroccan authorities have reported a series of four explosions in the city of Smara located in the Western Sahara, leaving one individual dead and injuring three others. The news comes as tensions continue to simmer in a region often caught between the national aspirations of Morocco and the independence ambitions backed by Algeria’s Polisario Front.
According to official reports, the late-night blasts have resulted in considerable damage to two residential buildings. However, the authorities have not yet divulged additional information concerning the nature of the explosives or potential motives behind the incident.
Morocco staunchly regards Western Sahara as an integral part of its own territory. This stance is contradicted by the Polisario Front, which enjoys support from Algeria and seeks to establish an independent state in Western Sahara. The contentious issue has been a thorn in regional diplomacy for decades.
Interestingly, the Polisario Front declared the resumption of its armed struggle in November 2020. The United Nations describes most of the subsequent fighting as “low intensity,” which predominantly occurs in the uninhabited eastern areas near the Moroccan-constructed security wall.
Morocco has repeatedly stated that the most it can offer as a political solution to the disputed territory is autonomy. In contrast, the Polisario Front, along with its ally Algeria, calls for full independence.
Efforts at conflict resolution have also seen international involvement. The United Nations Security Council has consistently urged both parties to find a mutually acceptable solution. Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara has gained some international recognition; Israel acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty over the region in July, following a similar move by the United States in 2020. Additionally, 28 other countries, predominantly from Africa and the Arab world, have established consulates in the Western Saharan cities of Dakhla and Laayoune, a move Morocco interprets as a sign of support for its governance of the region.
As reported by DZWatch, the recent explosions in Smara add another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between the involved parties. It remains unclear how this incident will impact future negotiations and the quest for a peaceful resolution.
