In 1906, Sultan Abdel Aziz of Morocco dispatched a military expedition led by Moulay Idriss to defend the Sahara against French encroachment, culminating in the Battle of Nimlane.
The CIA described Morocco's Sand Wall in the Sahara as an unprecedented defense installation that effectively turned the tide of the war against the Polisario Front. The wall's success in reducing insurgent activity and stabilizing the region attracted attention from both US and Soviet military experts.
The Polisario Front's quest to establish a state in Western Sahara is gradually diminishing, according to a South African think tank, which added that South African officials believe the separatist front has failed to garner international support for its demands, while Morocco continues to rally support for its 2007 autonomy proposal.