
John Bolton defends Polisario amid US bill to label them terrorists
Three days after a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to classify the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization, John Bolton has come forward to defend his long-time allies in the movement. «I think the first time I went to Tindouf was about 30 years ago. And I saw no signs of Marxists, or jihadists, or Iranians, or anything like that, and I've been there many times», he said in an interview with a Spanish media outlet.
«This is just propaganda from the Moroccans and their supporters; there's no evidence of this. You know, you have American NGOs working in the camps around Tindouf that support those things and provide humanitarian assistance. We would have heard something (...) I think it's kind of outrageous, but, you know, that's how desperate I think they are», said the former U.S. National Security Advisor under Donald Trump.
Bolton's latest remarks come just days after armed Polisario elements launched projectile attacks on Friday, June 27, targeting several sites in Es-Smara, including a MINURSO barracks.
It's worth noting that Bolton had already voiced his support for the Polisario in an op-ed published by an American media outlet a few weeks earlier.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Despite Mounting Evidence, Bolton Downplays Polisario's Terrorism Against Morocco
Rabat – Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton– a vocal advocate for Polisario and its separatism claims targeting Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara – recently attempted to downplay Polisario's terrorist links despite mounting evidence of their extremist activities and security threats undermining not only Morocco's stability but the whole region. Bolton, who is also widely seen as a warmonger, claimed that he saw no warning signs in regards to the Polisario Front during his visits to Tindouf. 'I've been to Tindouf, I think the first time was about 30 years ago. I saw no signs of Marxists, jihadists, or Iranians, or anything like that,' he claimed, downgrading Polisario's terror links. Bolton made his remarks in an interview with Oltralectura published on June 28, in which he dismissed growing concerns over the Polisario terrorist links as nothing more than 'Moroccan propaganda.' Overlooking Morocco's genuine efforts to find a political solution to end the Western Sahara dispute, Bolton called such accusations 'desperate propaganda' and 'outrageous,' claiming that there has been no evidence of terrorist attacks led by the separatist group. The claims came amid an increasing number of international appeals from officials, security experts, and research institutions urging the global community to address the Polisario's escalating security threat in the Sahel region. Blood-thirst amid warnings One such appeal even specifically came from within the halls of the US Congress. On June 27, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson submitted a bipartisan bill, officializing his appeal seeking to classify the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist group. Wilson labeled Polisario as a 'Marxist militia backed by Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia, providing Iran a strategic outpost in Africa and destabilizing the Kingdom of Morocco, a US ally for 248 years.' Morocco cut ties with Iran in 2018, citing evidence of collusion between the Polisario Front and Iran's proxy Hezbollah, specifically accusing Tehran of providing the separatist group with military and logistical support. At that time, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita , said that Morocco provided detailed evidence of this collusion. 'The file was carefully prepared, for weeks, on the basis of information collected and cross-checked over several months,' said Bourita, adding that the document summarizes 'proven and precise facts: dates of visits by senior officers of Hezbollah in Algeria, dates and venues of meetings with Polisario officials, and a list of names of agents involved in these contacts.' Turning a blind eye to international appeals Many think tanks and academic research, and news publications have documented these ties between Iran and Polisario under Algeria's watch. In April, a report from the Washington Post highlighted the collaboration between Algiers and Iran-backed Hezbollah, using Polisario as a political tool to undermine Morocco as well as other countries like Syria. The report quoted sources who confirmed that Hezbollah trained Polisario to propel its interests. 'Over the years, Iran has fostered a wide array of proxy groups to advance its interests,' the report said, quoting a regional official and a third European official who said Iran trained fighters from the 'Algeria-based Polisario Front' that are now detained by Syria's new security forces. Several reports also exposed Algeria's propaganda, dismissing Polisario's self-portrayal as a liberation movement. In April, a report by the Hudson Institute described the separatist group as a paramilitary organization that functions as a 'destabilizing militia.' It also documented how Polisario's activities 'go far beyond the standard for a terror designation,' a statement echoed by the American Enterprise Institute, urging the UN to cease recognizing the Polisario Front as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people. Fast forward to now, when Bolton's advocacy for Polisario comes on the heels of a recent terrorist attack in Es-Semara, widely attributed to the Polisario. On Friday of last week, converging reports said four projectiles landed near the city in southern Morocco. Although no injuries or damages were reported, the Polisario's staged attack caused widespread chaos and alarm among civilians. This is not the first time Polisario has carried out terrorist attacks against Morocco. In 2023, also in Es-Semara, the separatist group launched a strike that killed one person and injured three others. Last year, Polisario also targeted a Green March ceremony in Laayoune. Threatening tourists, businesses Further confirming the terrorism accusations, the separatist group militias have made it clear that they have no interest in ceasing their attacks, even threatening tourists and businesses alike. In May, Members of the Polisario leadership, including Mustapha Sidi Ali El Bachir, conveyed the separatist group's terrorist threats , noting that foreign investors and tourists visiting southern provinces are 'in great danger.' The Polisario member appeared in a threatening video on May 1 published on YouTube, saying that in line with the group's statement from November 13, 2020 – which announced the 'return to war' – that 'any foreign investor or tourist in the Sahara is putting their life at risk.' 'Let the Sahrawi stay away from foreigners and not come telling us they're civilians or innocent. This is not a tourism context, but a wartime context,' he added. With all of this mounting evidence, it is increasingly clear that Bolton's statements contrast with the growing international consensus, from both within the former security advisor's own country and around the world, that the Polisario Front is posing a regional danger that must be addressed and taken seriously. Tags: algeria western saharaJohn Bolton


Morocco World
7 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Commemorates 56th Anniversary of Sidi Ifni Liberation
Rabat — The Moroccan people celebrate today the 56th anniversary of Sidi Ifni's liberation, a crucial milestone in the country's complete independence and territorial unity. On June 30, 1969, the resistance of the local tribes of Ait Baamrane forced foreign occupation forces to withdraw from this coastal city, ending decades of colonial presence. A legacy of resistance The High Commissioner for former resistance fighters and former members of the Liberation Army issued a statement honoring the historic day, recalling popular uprisings that swept across the Atlas Mountains, the Rif region, and throughout Morocco after the French imposed the protectorate treaty on March 30, 1912. Local tribes in the Ait Baamrane region demonstrated a remarkable fighting spirit during the colonial period. They courageously resisted foreign expansion attempts and fought numerous heroic battles, sacrificing everything to preserve Morocco's unity and defend its religious sanctuaries and national principles. Sidi Ifni's strategic role in liberation Sidi Ifni played a pivotal role in Morocco's liberation struggle, harboring resistance cells and guerrilla organizations led by brave fighters who gained fame battling colonial forces. The city served as a training ground for resistance fighters and members of the Liberation Army, producing exceptional heroes who dedicated their lives to defending their homeland's freedom and unity. The Ait Baamrane tribes made significant contributions to the Liberation Army's successful launch in Morocco's southern provinces in 1956. Their goal was to complete national independence and liberate southern territories still under Spanish occupation. The historic uprising of 1957 These regions actively participated in the legendary November 23, 1957, uprising. International media extensively covered the rebellion, commending the determination and fighting spirit of resistance fighters and members of the Liberation Army who stood firm against colonial oppression. The local population supported all phases of Morocco's liberation struggle under the leadership of the Alaouite throne. Completing the mission Not only did the liberation of Sidi Ifni represent the end of the foreign occupation of a single city, but it also symbolized Morocco's determination to achieve complete territorial integrity and national unity. Today's commemoration honors not only the successful liberation of Sidi Ifni but also pays tribute to all resistance fighters and Liberation Army members who sacrificed for Morocco's independence. Their courage and determination ensured that future generations would inherit a unified and free nation. The anniversary serves as a reminder of Morocco's long struggle for independence and the importance of preserving national unity and territorial integrity that previous generations fought so hard to achieve. Tags: MoroccoSidi IfniSidi Ifni liberationSouthern provinces


Ya Biladi
8 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Dakhla : Cornered, pro-Polisario forces turn to minors for protests
Last night, a group of young people waving Polisario flags held a demonstration, calling for «an end to the occupation and the release of Sahrawi civilian prisoners held in Moroccan prisons», according to the Polisario news agency SPS on Sunday, June 29. «A few teenagers, some with their faces covered, took to the streets carrying Polisario flags», a local source in Dakhla told Yabiladi. Images shared by Polisario media, including SPS, show minors protesting on a street in the city. «This is clearly a propaganda stunt orchestrated by the Polisario to coincide with recent conferences in Europe and articles in certain Spanish outlets calling for the release of Sahrawi prisoners convicted of the murder of 11 law enforcement officers during the dismantling of the Gdim Izik camp in Laayoune on November 8, 2008», the same source added. Polisario-affiliated media made no mention of any arrests following the demonstration in Dakhla.