The Spanish newspaper El Independiente has published a detailed analysis of the developments surrounding the Western Sahara conflict, marking four years since Morocco’s decisive operation at the Guerguerat border crossing.
The operation, which took place on November 13, 2020, by the Royal Moroccan Forces, was a turning point that secured the vital passage and expelled members of the Polisario Front towards the Algerian border, effectively asserting Morocco’s control over the area.
Since that pivotal moment, the Independiente report reveals a series of setbacks for the Polisario, both diplomatically and militarily.
According to the publication, the Polisario has faced significant losses, including the deaths of numerous members, the retreat from strategic areas in the buffer zone, and the displacement of hundreds of its supporters to the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria.
In stark contrast, Morocco has strengthened its position on the global stage.
The country’s autonomy plan for the Sahara has garnered widespread support from key international players, including Spain and France, as well as other nations backing Morocco’s sovereignty.
Over the past four years, the Polisario has failed to make substantial advances and has instead suffered heavy losses, particularly in the buffer zone, where successive Moroccan airstrikes have drastically weakened their presence.
The report notes that Moroccan drones have been particularly effective, with El Independiente citing that around 120 Polisario members have been killed in airstrikes.
This underscores the Moroccan military’s ability to disrupt Polisario operations and inflict severe casualties and damage on their equipment.
On the diplomatic front, Morocco has made significant strides, gaining recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara from several countries, including the United States, France, and others supporting Morocco’s autonomy proposal.
The operational success at Guerguerat, along with the tightening of control over the buffer zone, signals Morocco’s near-total dominance in the region.
The report concludes that the current situation makes it increasingly difficult for the Polisario to maintain its positions or move freely, especially after the successful military operation at Guerguerat.
Morocco’s strengthened control, both diplomatically and militarily, has reshaped the balance of power in the region, putting pressure on the Polisario to reconsider its strategy.
