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Rabat – Morocco has strengthened security measures at the MINURSO headquarters in the Guerguerat buffer zone to protect its forces after being alerted to terrorist threats.
Following a warning from officials at the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), concerning possible terrorist acts that could target them, members of the mission have been on full alert in the Guerguerat buffer zone at Morocco’s southern borders with Mauritania.
The mission is on alert at its headquarters in the buffer zone, and Morocco’s forces strengthened security measures near them in a move to protect the MINURSO elements. Arabic-language news source, Al-Massa, reported in its weekend issue that Morocco takes very seriously the warnings and fears of the United Nations.
The UN mission fortified its presence at a warehouse reserved for it in Guerguerat after it withdrew in reaction to the the threats. The decision was met with discontent from the Polisario Front.
Later, the MINURSO teams resumed their activity in the region while maintaining maximum alert level. Increased measures included inspecting all company vehicles before use and parking them in the car parks reserved for MINURSO, as well as advising their personnel to avoid being alone.
Earlier last week, UN reports indicated that terrorist groups active in the Sahel region and the Sahara intended to attack MINURSO personnel, especially those present at Guerguerat.
The UN immediately notified its mission of these intentions and called on it to implement preventive measures and reinforce its security in the area.
The ongoing terrorism threat in the Sahel area has prompted French U.N. Ambassador, Francois Delattre, to circulate a draft resolution on Tuesday to the 15 members of the UNSC authorizing the military intervention, in accordance with international law and in coordination with the peacekeeping mission of the UN.
Speaking to the media, Delattre stated, “It would be irresponsible for the council not to come together behind this regional initiative to combat terrorism across borders at the moment when the threat has never been so high.”
