Casualties reported as Morocco responds to Polisario shells with drone strike 

Morocco responded to a Polisario Front shell fire into its territory on Saturday by sending drones to strike at the movement’s positions, leading to deaths among the group’s ranks, local reports have said.

Moroccan authorities have not commented on the reports.

The Polisario Front strike hit a parking lot near a celebration held by the Al-Mahbes Municipality, no injuries were reported. A video circulating online showed confused guests immediately after the strike, however they quickly returned to their evening of festivities.

Some sites reported that the Polisario Front fired three shells towards Al-Mahbes, coinciding with the municipality’s celebration.

The number of deaths caused by the Moroccan response is not yet known, with some statements saying five and others three. The Free Algerian Army page claimed that three Algerian officers were among the dead. However, a post on the Free Algerian Army’s X account said that the officers were with the Polisario elements, listing their names and military specialties, including artillery technician, wireless signal technician, and a member of the use and preparation department.

The Intelligence 24 account reported that “Moroccan warplanes targeted two vehicles belonging to the Polisario militias immediately after a projectile was launched towards the Mahbes area,” confirming that “everyone inside the vehicles were killed while trying to escape.” According to the account, nine were killed as a result of the military strike.

READ: Protests in Morocco as ship suspected of carrying arms to Israel docks