A Moroccan military drone reportedly targeted three vehicles belonging to Mauritanian gold prospectors on Thursday in the buffer zone near the “Karkarzat” area, according to Hespress AR sources within Mauritania’s artisanal mining unions. The strike caused material damage to the vehicles but resulted in no casualties.
The incident adds to a growing number of similar episodes in recent months involving Mauritanian nationals entering the restricted buffer zone east of the Moroccan security wall, an area tightly controlled by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).
Despite repeated warnings from Mauritanian authorities urging prospectors to avoid the demilitarized zone and conduct operations strictly within Mauritania’s borders, some continue to defy the directives.
Artisanal mining unions in Mauritania have repeatedly expressed concerns over violations of Moroccan territorial integrity, warning that continued disregard for national and regional security protocols could escalate tensions. In various public statements, the unions have called on prospectors to respect international boundaries and adhere to safety regulations.
The unions also renewed their call for the Mauritanian government to bolster its security presence in sensitive border regions. Recommendations include deploying regular military patrols and establishing permanent checkpoints to deter incursions into the Moroccan-monitored buffer zone.
They further urged greater coordination between Mauritanian and Moroccan authorities to mitigate unauthorized cross-border movements.
This latest incident highlights the risks posed by unauthorized activity in the buffer zone, as the Moroccan army maintains a strict posture toward any perceived threats or illegal incursions in the region, part of ongoing efforts to maintain stability in its Saharan border.
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