On May 10, 2026, the embassies of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in Rabat issued statements condemning a recent attack by the Polisario Front in the city of Es-Smara, located in the Moroccan Sahara. The Saudi embassy's statement, received by the press on Saturday, expressed condemnation 'in the strongest terms' and reaffirmed Riyadh's 'firm and constant position in support of the Kingdom of Morocco's sovereignty over all its territory.'
The UAE embassy similarly denounced the attack, calling it a 'cowardly act' and reiterating Abu Dhabi's support for Morocco's territorial integrity and the autonomy plan for the Sahara region. Qatar's embassy also condemned the incident, emphasizing Doha's backing of Moroccan efforts to maintain security and stability.
The attack, which occurred earlier in the week, targeted civilian areas in Es-Smara, though no casualties have been officially confirmed. The Polisario Front, a separatist group, has been involved in a long-standing dispute with Morocco over the Western Sahara region.
These condemnations align with the broader international stance of several Gulf states, which have consistently supported Morocco's position on the Sahara issue. The statements come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict through United Nations-led negotiations.
