Polisario leader calls for Iranian support amid internal strife

Ibrahim Ghali, leader of the separatist Polisario Front, sent a condolence letter to Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, expressing sympathy for the terrorist events that took place in Kerman province. 

Ghali connected the occurrence to his “phantom war” against Morocco and compared the Palestinian fight in Gaza with the acts of terrorism in Kerman, highlighting the necessity of strength and resistance against the powers of oppression and violence.

The head of Polisario persisted in linking his group to Palestine in stark contradiction to reality, even in the face of severe military operations and numerous Security Council resolutions since 2020.

In a terrorist incident, Polisario targeted the Moroccan city of Smara, leaving one person dead and three injured. In the city of Aousserd, a failed attack took place.

The separatist front has been trying to entangle Morocco in a military confrontation ever since the border crossing at Guerguerat was freed. Since 1991, Morocco has remained faithful to the terms of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. 

The letter above discloses Ghali’s endeavor to pursue military assistance from Iran, consistent with previous accounts that suggested Rabouni’s administration was soliciting Iranian armaments in tandem with the Gaza crisis.

The Polisario Front is experiencing continuous internal strife

According to former leader Al-Bashir Aldakhil, believes that “Ghali’s actions indicate the Front’s suicidal tendencies and loss of hope, particularly in the aftermath of the Guerguerat crisis.”

In a statement to Hespress AR, Aldakhil emphasized that Ghali declared a one-sided war in 2020, yielding no positive outcomes, and criticized his obstinate approach as a continuation of proxy warfare.

He further explained that the situation is a matter of negotiation rather than war, and Ghali’s alignment with Iran signifies an alliance promoting terrorism and international condemnation for killing innocent people. 

The former Polisario leader pointed out that “Ghali, who wants to imitate the Palestinian resistance, does not know that the difference between them is deep and clear,” pointing out that “the Polisario’s desire to obtain Iranian weapons is not new, and Ghali’s message is only a new confirmation of that.”

Issam Laaroussi, a political and security specialist, observed that the Polisario frequently drew comparisons between itself and the Palestinian resistance. He saw this as a ruse to prove the Front’s receipt of Iranian military support. 

Laaroussi told Hespress AR that the Polisario receives arms and training from Iranian revolutionary groups, specifically the Revolutionary Guard, as part of their plans to expand throughout Africa.

Laaroussi emphasized that while the ideological beliefs may not align with Hezbollah, Iran has found an ally in the Polisario, especially as the Rabouni leadership remains within the sphere of influence of Algeria. 

He continued by saying that Ghali’s statement confirms the Polisario’s reaffirmed allegiance to Iran and that their status is precarious, depending on Iran and other allies to maintain their power in the region.