Moroccan Sahara: Polisario claims responsibility for Es-Smara attack

In a press release issued this Sunday evening and reported by the Saharawi press agency, the Polisario Front claimed responsibility for the attack that took place at 1 a.m. on October 29 in the town of Es-Smara. As a reminder, a young Moroccan resident in France was killed, but three others were injured. The public prosecutor’s office has announced the opening of an investigation.

The Polisario communication also mentions other military operations, which, according to them, affected Mahbes and Farsia. It also refers to “heavy losses in enemy trenches”, without mentioning any civilian casualties. No mention is made of the Moroccan investigation.

An article by EC-Sahraoui, published after the Polisario communiqué, tempers the statement by saying that Saharawi elements caused no civilian casualties, and carried out attacks in the “vast Es-Smara sector”.

As previously reported and explained, the attack affected four impact zones in three districts of the town of Es-Smara. The first published and authenticated photos show traces of shrapnel on residential walls. The town of Es-Smara is located some forty kilometers from the defensive wall, putting it within range of a certain type of weapon used by the armed militia and consistent with the damage caused.