Marrakech – The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have neutralized over 13,000 unexploded ordnance items in Morocco’s southern provinces since early 2024, which represents a significant acceleration in clearance operations under UN supervision.
According to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), military specialists from the FAR conducted 67 controlled demolition operations across various desert zones, eliminating 13,850 unexploded ordnance (UXO), 116 landmines, and 2,900 small arms ammunition pieces. MINURSO military observers supervised all operations in coordination with the UNMAS.
The intensive clearance campaign addresses explosive remnants left from past conflicts that continue to threaten local populations, nomadic herders, civilian convoys, and military patrols. Desert conditions, including shifting sand dunes and erosion, complicate locating these devices and require regular neutralization missions.
According to the international organization, both sides of the 1,465 km (out of 2,700 km) security berm protecting Morocco’s southern provinces remain significantly contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) as a result of the armed conflict from 1975 until 1991 between the FAR and the separatist Polisario Front.
UNMAS reports indicate the 2024 operations represent a substantial increase in clearance activities compared to previous years. The enhanced pace reflects intensified cooperation between Moroccan authorities and MINURSO technical teams under existing military agreements.
These explosive remnants pose serious dangers to communities living in remote areas of Morocco’s southern provinces. Extreme climate conditions combined with moving terrain make detection challenging, necessitating continuous security operations by specialized military units.
The clearance operations support Morocco’s development objectives in the southern provinces, where major infrastructure and renewable energy projects are underway. Securing the terrain remains essential for safe civilian movement and economic activities in these strategic regions.
Military Agreement #1 between MINURSO and the FAR establishes protocols for regular explosive ordnance (EO) destruction west of the security berm. The FAR consistently submit detailed reports of mine action activities to UNMAS, building a comprehensive understanding of explosive threats across the region.
Different UN websites offer different figures, but UNMAS said it has assessed over 28,000 kilometers of roads and 149.7 million square meters of territory as safe from explosive ordnance since 2008, according to data available as of February 28, 2023.
The comprehensive program has removed 24,685 sub-munitions, 8,849 explosive items, and 7,871 landmines from areas east of the berm.
According to other numbers from MINURSO, since 2008 operations have released over 84 million square meters of hazardous areas, verified 43,610 kilometers of routes, destroyed 694 landmines and 22,183 explosive ordnance items, with over 1,000 mine victims recorded east of the berm.
The UN considers explosive remnant elimination crucial for regional stability. These devices can cause fatal accidents, restrict mobility, and limit access to agricultural and pastoral areas essential for traditional economic activities.
Current operations strengthen security foundations necessary for civilian presence expansion and infrastructure development in Morocco’s southern provinces. The FAR’s expertise in international humanitarian demining standards ensures effective neutralization of explosive threats while protecting military and civilian personnel.
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