Saudi Arabia condemns the Smara attack and supports Morocco's full sovereignty
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its embassy in Rabat, expressed its strong condemnation of the attack that targeted the city of Smara in the Moroccan Sahara, which resulted in civilian casualties. In an official statement, the embassy affirmed Saudi Arabia's firm stance against all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism, emphasizing Riyadh's full support for and solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco.
This Saudi stance came in response to the events that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 29, 2023, when four explosive projectiles targeted separate residential neighborhoods in the city of Smara, resulting in the death of one Moroccan citizen and injuries to three others, two of whom were reported to be in critical condition. These attacks, which targeted unarmed civilians, sparked panic and caused material damage to homes and property, an act that Moroccan authorities considered a dangerous escalation threatening the security and stability of the region.
Background of the conflict and the importance of the Saudi position
This attack comes in the context of the decades-long Western Sahara conflict, marked by intermittent tensions between Morocco and the Polisario Front. Smara, one of the region's largest cities, lies within the territory under Moroccan administration. Targeting residential areas there represents a significant shift in the nature of the conflict, bringing the confrontation into civilian areas and constituting a violation of international humanitarian law.
The Saudi condemnation is not merely a diplomatic stance, but rather a reaffirmation of the deep strategic and historical ties that bind the two countries. Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states such as the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain, has consistently been a staunch supporter of Morocco's position on its sovereignty over all its territory. This statement reinforces Arab and Gulf solidarity with Morocco in the face of challenges threatening its territorial integrity.
Regional and international dimensions of the escalation
Regionally, Saudi Arabia’s strong stance sends a clear message rejecting any attempt to destabilize Morocco, which is considered a pivotal partner in the Arab regional security system. Internationally, this attack underscores the urgent need for a lasting political solution to this conflict and reinforces the importance of the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. The targeting of civilians may prompt the international community to exert more pressure to prevent the region from sliding into a wider confrontation.
The Saudi embassy concluded its statement by reaffirming the Kingdom’s full support for all measures taken by Morocco to preserve its security, stability, and sovereignty over its territory, and to protect the safety of its citizens and residents.
