Polisario fears invasion as Morocco deploys forces near the buffer zone

The Polisario expresses concern regarding the significant presence of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) in the Sahara region, particularly in Aousserd, Mahbes, and Gueltat Zemmour. According to Polisario sources cited by Sahrawi media, this deployment undermines diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.

These sources also report the arrival of military formations, including Abrams tanks, self-propelled howitzers, and approximately ten armored rapid intervention vehicles, in Aousserd. They further caution against a potential invasion by the FAR into the «liberated territories» situated east of the Moroccan Wall. This sentiment was reiterated on January 14 by Brahim Ghali.

On December 13, 2020, the Polisario declared «war» against Morocco in response to the FAR's liberation of traffic at the El Guerguerate border crossing on the same day.

After more than three years, the separatist movement has not achieved any significant victories on the ground. Moreover, it has lost control over its so-called «liberated territories», which were previously claimed as spoils of war.

This loss has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Sahrawis towards the Tindouf camps in Algeria, as reported by the Sahrawi Red Crescent (CRS) in November 2023.