Morocco Vows Retaliation After Deadly Attack in Western Sahara City

"Indeed, as he pointed out, there were four explosions in the night from Saturday to Sunday in the spiritual city of the Sahara. Immediately after these exposures that occurred around midnight, the MINURSO was notified. Its members came to note that the explosions took place in civilian - civilian - neighborhoods and homes, one dead and injured, civilians," recalled Omar Hilale, adding that the MINURSO members will make their report and that the Security Council will be seized. "The Moroccan authorities, for their part, have requested the opening of an investigation entrusted to the judicial police in order to verify or identify the scientific and ballistic details of the explosions," added the Moroccan diplomat.

In a statement released late on October 29, the Polisario said the separatists "targeted enemy forces in the Mahbès, Es-Semara and Farsia sectors on Sunday." "Right now, we are in the investigation phase, gathering information, we are not accusing anyone. Because we are waiting for the conclusive results of this investigation. At that time, we will act," Omar Hilale continued, however stressing that there is "a body of compelling evidence that virtually points in a single direction. That of the one who pronounced himself, himself, with the communiqué published by the armed separatist group the Polisario."

For the Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations, the explosions will not go unpunished. "Pending the results of the investigation, we know that international law, international humanitarian law and Security Council resolutions qualify any attack or targeting of civilians as a terrorist and war act. [...] These explosions will not go unpunished. Those responsible will have to assume their legal, but also political responsibility. But also those who provide and support them," he said, describing the attack on Es-Semara as a "heinous act", a "condemnable terrorist act".