Significant Event in Western Sahara Conflict
The Polisario Front has confirmed the death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, a prominent leader of the group and son of a historic figure in the Sahrawi independence movement, who was killed in combat this past Sunday during the ongoing armed conflict in Western Sahara. According to a statement from the Sahrawi Armed Forces, Abdelaziz died along with two other fighters, described as "martyrs in the conflict". However, specific details regarding the circumstances of the confrontation or the identities of the other two victims have not been disclosed.
Lahbib Mohamed was born in 1989 in the Tindouf refugee camps and was the son of Mohamed Abdelaziz, the former president of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and a pivotal figure in the independence movement. He pursued studies in International Relations and joined the Sahrawi Popular Liberation Army in 2011. Throughout his career, he held various military and political roles, eventually becoming the head of training for the General Staff and later a brigade commander. In 2024, he was also appointed as a member of the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front.
Ongoing Tensions and the Conflict's Background
This announcement comes amid heightened tensions in Western Sahara since the ceasefire broke down in 2020, following the deployment of Moroccan troops in the demilitarized zone of Guerguerat. Since then, the Polisario Front has asserted that the armed conflict with Morocco has resumed, as Morocco continues to control the majority of the territory. The independence movement maintains its stance regarding the so-called "liberated zones," while Morocco views Western Sahara as an integral part of its sovereignty. In this ongoing dispute, the United Nations continues to seek a resolution but has yet to make significant progress.
As reported by es.euronews.com.
