Growing concerns over Polisario's terror threats and regional stability

Saturday 24 May 2025 - 10:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Growing concerns over Polisario's terror threats and regional stability

The Polisario Front, along with its supporter Algeria, is under increasing scrutiny for its role in destabilizing the region, particularly through its terror threats against American interests. The latest report from The Daily Signal highlights the urgent need for the United States to address the escalating threat posed by this separatist group.

Recently, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at designating the Algeria-based Polisario Front as a terrorist organization. This move is seen as a response to the U.S. administration's perceived negligence regarding the group's history of violence, notably recalling a tragic incident in 1988 when Polisario missiles struck aircraft owned by the U.S. Agency for International Development, resulting in the deaths of five Americans. The report's authors, Robert Greenway and Amine Ghoulidi, emphasize that this proposed legislation is crucial for Washington to recognize the Polisario Front as a significant proxy threat.

In addition to past attacks, the report brings attention to the Polisario's recent war threats and its unilateral withdrawal from the UN-brokered ceasefire of 1991. This decision followed Morocco's peaceful resolution of a blockade initiated by the separatists. The situation has been further complicated by Algeria’s longstanding support for the Polisario, which includes substantial financial and military backing.

The report details how Algeria serves as a dangerous sanctuary for the Polisario, enabling the group to amass weapons and cultivate external alliances with minimal risk. This support has been linked to Iranian military assistance and growing Russian influence, as well as a trans-Sahel illicit economy that intertwines with jihadist funding streams.

Algeria’s involvement extends beyond its borders, with reports of its interference in Syria under Bashar al-Assad's regime. Recent analyses indicate a deeper collaboration between Algiers and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which allegedly utilizes the Polisario Front to undermine Morocco's territorial integrity while also meddling in Syrian affairs. Notably, Hezbollah is said to have trained Polisario separatists to advance these interests.

The urgency of these concerns has led to a chorus of calls from various political figures, including Liam Fox, former UK Secretary of State for Defense. Fox has likened the Polisario Front to other recognized terrorist groups, asserting that Western governments must act swiftly to classify it as a terrorist organization to protect Moroccan allies.

As discussions around these threats intensify, it remains crucial for the international community to acknowledge the implications of the Polisario's actions and the pivotal role of Algeria in this complex geopolitical landscape.