فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Recent developments in the Western Sahara conflict have sparked intense international debate after the Polisario Front officially acknowledged responsibility for attacks on the city of Smara and other Moroccan military sites, as stated in a military communiqué dated June 27, 2025 (see attached image). This admission comes amid growing calls within the US Congress to designate the Polisario as a foreign terrorist organization, a move that could decisively shift the regional conflict dynamics and place Algeria—the main supporter of the Polisario—in a precarious position on the global stage.
The military communiqué issued by the Polisario’s “Ministry of National Defense” confirmed that “advanced units of the Sahrawi People’s Liberation Army” conducted targeted strikes against Moroccan military positions in Smara and other sectors, emphasizing the continuation of “focused attacks on enemy strongholds and fortifications.” This represents the first official acknowledgment of direct attacks on Smara, one of the largest cities in Moroccan-administered Western Sahara, which has recently witnessed casualties and injuries attributed to Polisario operations.
On June 26, 2025, the US Congress introduced a bipartisan bill calling for the designation of the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill cites alleged links between the Polisario and Iran’s regime as well as Hezbollah, framing the group as a threat to US interests in the region. Although the bill has not yet been enacted, it signals escalating international concern over Polisario activities and grants the US State Department the final authority on the matter.
Algeria’s longstanding political, military, and logistical support for the Polisario places it at significant risk should the group be officially labeled a terrorist organization. Such a designation could trigger international sanctions against Algeria as the “official patron” of a terrorist entity, jeopardizing its relations with the United States and other key partners amid mounting Western pressure to reconsider its regional policies.
This escalation coincides with the US State Department’s April 2025 endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only serious and realistic solution to the Western Sahara dispute, marking a clear shift in US policy favoring Morocco and weakening the Polisario’s position and that of its allies.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2023 | Attack in Smara causes casualties; Polisario admits responsibility. |
| November 4, 2023 | Second attack in Smara; Polisario again claims responsibility. |
| April 8, 2025 | US State Department confirms support for Morocco’s autonomy plan. |
| June 26, 2025 | US Congress introduces bill to designate Polisario as a terrorist organization. |
| June 27, 2025 | Polisario issues official military communiqué claiming attacks on Smara and others. |
| June 28, 2025 | Ongoing international debate over designation and its implications for Algeria. |
The Polisario’s admission of the Smara attack appears to have accelerated international efforts to designate the group as a terrorist organization, especially with bipartisan backing in the US Congress. If enacted, Algeria will face unprecedented diplomatic and economic pressures, potentially compelling it to reassess its stance on the conflict. Given the ongoing tensions and intensified military operations, the situation remains fluid, with close attention on the US administration’s final decision and its impact on regional stability.
The Polisario’s acknowledgment of attacks in Smara threatens to alter the Western Sahara conflict’s dynamics fundamentally, placing the group and its supporters under unprecedented international scrutiny amid a clear US policy shift favoring Morocco.
from: fesnews
