After Es-Smara attack, Polisario faces backlash from fighters' families
«The Polisario is truly at an impasse. It cannot publicly announce the death of its members, even though its so-called 'Ministry of Defense' has already claimed responsibility for the Es-Smara attack», a Moroccan security source told Yabiladi.
«In response to this pressure, the Polisario is unofficially telling families that 'after carrying out the June 27 operation, its militants were arrested by a Mauritanian army patrol and are currently being held, and that negotiations are underway to secure their release.' The Front is hoping to buy time until the families' anger subsides», the same source added.
It is worth noting that a drone strike by Morocco's Royal Armed Forces (FAR) on June 27 killed the Polisario operatives responsible for launching the missiles at Es-Smara.
The Polisario traditionally holds funerals for its fallen members—either discreetly or with significant ceremony—depending on the tribal affiliations of the deceased.
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