Three Republican U.S. senators have introduced legislation seeking to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization if it is found to be cooperating with Iranian-backed militant groups.
According to a statement published on the official website of Ted Cruz, the Republican senator from Texas introduced the bill alongside Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rick Scott of Florida.
The proposed legislation would require the U.S. Department of State to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization if it determines that the group is cooperating with Iranian entities already listed under U.S. terrorism sanctions.
In the statement, Cruz warned that the government of Iran is attempting to transform the Polisario Front into what he described as a “Houthis in West Africa,” referring to the Iran-backed movement in Yemen.
He alleged that the group works with Iranian-backed militant organizations, receives drones from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and transports weapons across the region on behalf of Tehran.
Cruz said the legislation would allow U.S. authorities to apply the country’s strongest counterterrorism sanctions against the group.
“Once the designation is secured, the Polisario Front and its leaders would be cut off from the global financial system, international travel, and the resources they rely on to carry out terrorist activities,” the senator said in the statement.
Cotton said the Polisario Front “openly supports Iran and Hezbollah,” adding that the group has long deserved to be designated as a terrorist organization.
Scott, meanwhile, said Washington must address the group’s alleged ties with what he described as adversaries such as China, Iran and Russia, as well as cooperation with Iran-backed militants including Hezbollah.
“I am proud to join Senator Cruz in introducing this legislation to ensure the United States has the tools necessary to fully investigate these terrorists and hold those involved accountable,” Scott said.
The senators said the bill is intended to strengthen U.S. counterterrorism measures and ensure that any threats to American security are met with decisive action.
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