Overview
- The Polisario announced that three of its members died in an attack it blames on Moroccan drones, saying the fatalities — including Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz — occurred on Sunday near the Moroccan berm.
- Moroccan media reported the men were coordinating attacks on Moroccan positions, and Moroccan authorities had not issued an official public account at the time of reporting.
- Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz was a member of the Polisario National Secretariat, rose through its military ranks after joining in 2011, and had been named commander of reserve forces in 2024.
- The strike follows years of rising tension since Morocco’s 2020 operation in Guerguerat and reflects a pattern of drone strikes and skirmishes along the de facto separation line.
- The incident could affect Polisario leadership and cohesion, increase the chance of further strikes or reprisals, and prompt regional diplomatic concern, including from parties involved in UN efforts on Western Sahara.