The Moroccan army has neutralized over 13,000 unexploded ordnance (UXO) ammunitions in the Sahara since 2024 under the supervision of MINURSO observers, according to the United Nations (UN).
A statement from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) stated that the military observers from the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) have overseen 67 demolition operations carried out by the Royal Moroccan Army since 2024.
“These operations resulted in the elimination of 13,850 UXO ammunitions, 116 landmines, and 2,900 small arms rounds in various desert areas. UNMAS indicates that these controlled destructions were carried out by the Moroccan army demining specialists in coordination with MINURSO technical teams,” it said in a statement.
“The United Nations considers these devices to remain a serious threat to local populations, nomadic herders, civilian convoys, and military patrols. The region’s extreme climatic conditions, combined with erosion and shifting dunes, complicate the location of UXO and necessitate regular neutralization operations”, it added.
According to UNMAS, the increase in these missions since 2024 reflects the intensification of security efforts undertaken within the framework of technical commitments between MINURSO and the Moroccan authorities.
The objective is to prevent accidents, improve mobility in remote areas, and create a safer environment for local development and civilian activities.
The continuation of these operations is considered by the United Nations to be a key element of regional stability, as explosive ordnance clearance is an essential prerequisite for strengthening infrastructure and protecting communities living in these sensitive areas.
APA/ Shakirat Sadiq