This seems quite an escalation.

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...rio-commander/

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/202104...rappe-de-drone

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

I'd like to see some independent confirmation, theres been quite a propaganda war from the Polisario and Algeria since the Guergarrat operation last November.

If its confirmed, (and it wouldn't surprise me) we could see travel in the WS go back to being a bit more sensitive after the relaxation of concerns in '18 and 19'. I had heard some reports from French friends in the region over Christmas that the security services were a bit more cautious with them.

I believe Gandini is out down there at the moment and seems to be travelling freely (and finding some interesting sites)

I can report quite a different experience. Been in the occupied part of WS from mid November till yesterday, most of the time inlands.

Inland is as free to travel as has been for the past 10 years since I keep returning here. Because of the war I did avoid staying for extended periods near the berm, but of course couldn't resist the temptation totally. Approached the problematic area two times, near El Foula and Aousard (stayed 15 - 20 km from the line), no problem, the military didn't bother to approach. This is completely different form past experiences - in both these two places I was used to be invited for a extended chat with higher ranking officers. The main nuisance for independent traveler inlands at the moment are the private "guardians" of the lands bought by the Qatari elite. Huge area around Boujdour is now owned by them, they installed posts with guardians who are not used to foreign travelers and usually know only one non-Arabic word: "interdit."
Regarding the checkpoints on roads, most of the time I was just waved through. Even around Dakhla they didn't bother to "register" me. In five months I gave only two "fiches".


To sum up, never so far was I able to travel in the occupied WS so easily, so free from the supervision of the officials.

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I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood ...

Hopefully no serious fall out from this...

https://thearabweekly.com/moroccos-a...lice-commander

See discussion in the Morocco forum

Since Chris posted the first links, theres a rumour that a 2 nd senior Polisario leader has been killed. However, no confirmation from either Moroccan or independent sources yet.

There have also been some reports stating Morocco's doesnt have the drone capability for an attack like this, they drones they have are recon drones not attack but could be used to target an attack

Yeh it was tense ten years ago, truckloads of soldiers in Boujdour and stern looking faces everywhere. Dahkla crossing was unpleasant. All very different now.
Morocco is strengthened and Polisario is weak, politically, economically, militarily. Senegal is the latest of several nations to open consulates in Dahkla or Laayoune.
The drone attack was east of the berm, near Tifariti it was first said. After Polisario had attacked in Touizgui region. Remains to see what kind of response Polisario can muster.

Since Chris posted the first links, theres a rumour that a 2nd senior Polisario leader has been killed. However, no confirmation from either Moroccan or independent sources yet.

There have also been some reports stating Morocco's doesn't have the drone capability for an attack like this, the drones they have are recon drones not attack but could be used to target an attack.

Any news via the Polisario has to be taken with a big pinch of salt after the last 6 months.

(PS @Vrecha, good to have a recent report, the report I mentioned above is from someone I don't count as very reliable )

It is reported the Moroccans used a Harfang drone to locate the vehicle and a fighter jet to strike.
What is worrying is if the Polisario attack was done from Algerian territory, .
Algeria is building up for an armed conflict. Morocco is now a friend of Israel, potentially giving them access to advanced war technology.
Don't expect to see much action west of the berm. The berm which is becoming more and more obsolete.
https://www.algeriepartplus.com/linq...e-et-le-maroc/

Algeria had a major aerial and ground manouvre January 17-18 called Al-Hazm 2021 in Tindouf region
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxp3bNu21c8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQVDrrIlFUU

https://thearabweekly.com/drone-atta...lict-polisario
"The Moroccan press reported late last year that the kingdom had taken delivery of three Harfang drones, as well as ordering American MQ-9B SkyGuardians — which do not appear to have been delivered yet.

Washington in December recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, at the same time that Rabat resumed ties with Israel.

The kingdom’s growing capabilities had already raised it from 60th to 53rd place on the Global Firepower Index, ranking military strength.

The Polisario, for its part, has “an arsenal that has barely changed since the 1980s, and whose modernisation is totally dependent on its Algerian protector,” Jeune Afrique reported in November.

Chiker said that the killing of Bendir was a demonstration that Morocco “is in military control of the entire (Western) Sahara, and has an arsenal capable of striking” the Polisario anywhere in the territory."

Interesting Twitter thread on drones in WS.

https://twitter.com/wammezz/status/1615289073790521345

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

Would Laayoune airport really be used as a base for drones? surely the civilian traffic and having to fly over would such a large city would make them hard to hide, unless they aren't worried about hiding them.

Yes, they are flying out of Laayoune and no, they are not trying to hide it.
Seen with my own eyes…


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