Three members of the Polisario Front independence movement have been killed during an assault on a Moroccan defensive wall in Western Sahara, according to reports.
Among those killed was Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, the son of the group’s long-time historic leader, officials said.
The Sahrawi news agency announced three days of mourning following the death of the 37-year-old officer, which occurred on Sunday.
The incident took place during an operation targeting the Sand Wall, a heavily fortified barrier stretching roughly 2,700 kilometres across the desert.
Spanish media reports attributed the deadly counter-strike to a Moroccan military drone operating east of the defensive structure.
The mineral-rich former Spanish colony remains a disputed territory, with most of it controlled by Morocco and claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.
The latest fatalities highlight renewed tensions after the Polisario ended a 30-year ceasefire in 2020.
Since then, hostilities have continued to simmer amid stalled diplomatic efforts, including a UN-backed plan supporting autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.
The death of Abdelaziz is seen as symbolically significant, linking the latest escalation to the conflict’s long-running origins.
As violence continues in the desert region, hopes for a negotiated settlement appear increasingly uncertain.