Smara Targeted in New Year’s Day Attack, Fuels Terrorism Concerns

An attack on Smara, located in the southeastern part of the city, has ignited fresh worries concerning terrorism. The incident occurred on the first day of the new year of the Hegira, with projectiles impacting an uninhabited area near a UN mission base. The attack, which has not caused any casualties, is raising tensions in the region.

Polisario Claims Responsibility

According to authorized sources, the attack was carried out by members of the Polisario militia. They describe it as a “hostile act” and part of a military strategy. The Polisario claimed responsibility through a press release from its so-called “Ministry of Defense,” stating it targeted military positions. The group’s actions follow a unilateral end to the ceasefire with Morocco in 2020.

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The attack is happening during the consideration of a bipartisan bill in the American Congress, seeking to classify the separatist militia as a foreign terrorist organization. The text, spearheaded by Republican Senator Joe Wilson and supported by Democrat Jimmy Panetta, highlights the alleged links between the Polisario and international terrorism. These groups include Hezbollah and AQMI. A recent study revealed a 20% increase in armed conflicts worldwide in the past year (International Conflict Report 2024).

Tindouf Camps Under Scrutiny

The situation in the Tindouf camps, located in Algeria, is also fueling international concern. Managed by the Polisario, these camps accommodate over 170,000 people. They operate outside international control, creating conditions that could foster extremism. Reports suggest that cells affiliated with al-Qaeda, Daesh, and the Fath al-Andalus group operate freely within these areas. The example of Adnan Abu al-Walid al-Sahrawi, a former Polisario member who became the head of Islamic State in the Grand Sahara, demonstrates the dangers.

Many international actors now believe that Algeria’s support for the Polisario provides direct backing to a potentially unstable, even terrorist, entity. This backing may eventually involve Algeria’s political accountability if the Polisario is formally designated as a terrorist group by Washington.