In a bold maneuver reflecting the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara, the Sahrawi People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) launched a targeted attack on a Moroccan military base in the Mahbes region. The strike, which took place in the Aked Arkane area, was confirmed in a military statement released on Tuesday by the Central Directorate of the Political Prefecture of the SPLA.

Focused Artillery Assault

According to the report from the Sahara Press Service (SPS), advanced units of the SPLA carried out a concentrated artillery assault on the Moroccan base, dealing significant blows to the occupying forces. The statement emphasized that the SPLA’s operations continue to inflict both casualties and material damage on Moroccan military positions, particularly those in key strongholds within the contested region.

Persistent Conflict

This recent offensive underscores the persistent and escalating tensions between the Sahrawi liberation forces and the Moroccan military. The SPLA has consistently targeted Moroccan fortifications as part of its broader strategy to challenge the ongoing occupation of Western Sahara, a territory long disputed between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Morocco.

Strategic Implications

The sustained attacks by the Sahrawi forces are not just about immediate military gains but also aim to disrupt Moroccan control over critical areas within Western Sahara. The Mahbes sector, in particular, has been a focal point of military engagements, with both sides vying for dominance in this strategically vital region.

International Response and Outlook

As the conflict continues, the international community remains concerned about the potential for further escalation. The ongoing clashes highlight the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-standing dispute, which has seen decades of tension and intermittent violence since Morocco’s annexation of Western Sahara in 1975.

For those following the developments in the Western Sahara conflict, this latest attack serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of peace in the region. The SPLA’s determined resistance and Morocco’s military responses underscore the complexity and intractability of the conflict, making it one of the most enduring territorial disputes in the world.