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Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, addressed questions during his daily press briefing about what was described as the UN's limited reaction to the killing of three Polisario Front members in the buffer zone, compared with its response following Polisario shelling of the city of Smara.
«What I can tell you is we're deeply concerned about the reports concerning a drone strike that targeted a Frente POLISARIO military vehicle in the Mijek area, resulting in three fatalities», Haq said.
He added that the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is seeking the necessary security clearances from the parties concerned in order to investigate the incident.
A few days earlier, the Polisario Front announced the death of senior figure Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz and two other members, saying they were killed while carrying out attacks against areas west of Morocco's security berm.
«And of course, you're aware that this is happening while Mr. de Mistura is in the region, and we call for respect of the ceasefire in the context of the Personal Envoy's efforts to advance the political process», he added.
He added that Staffan de Mistura had expressed concern over the latest developments, warning that military actions by any party could jeopardize progress toward a lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute.
It should be recalled that the Polisario Front declared an end to the ceasefire agreement following Morocco's intervention to reopen the Guerguerat crossing on November 13, 2020. Since then, the Front has maintained that it is in a state of war with Morocco.
Asked separately about reports that de Mistura was not received by senior Polisario officials during his latest visit to the Tindouf camps, Haq replied: «Mr. de Mistura is continuing with his efforts. He is going to try to meet with as many officials from the various sides as possible, and we'll see who he can meet with, but that visit is ongoing».
