The Foundation for Defence of Democracies published a policy paper about Iran expanding into North Africa. They wrote about Iranian training for the Polisario militia in camps in southwestern Algeria. FDD wants the Trump team to label Polisario as terrorists because they work with Iran. The report says weapons like SAM-9, SAM-11, and Strelka missiles went to Polisario with help from Iran. These transfers happened through the Iranian embassy in Algeria.
Algeria gives money, weapons, and passports to Polisario Front members. It keeps their leaders in refugee camps near the Morocco border. The Algerian government uses Polisario to push against Morocco. The Washington Post found that Iran trained Polisario fighters - Syrian opposition forces hold hundreds. Their presence fighting for Bashar al-Assad shows they act as Iranian helpers. The USA recognized Western Sahara as belonging to Morocco back in 2020.
The writers think Iran supports Polisario as part of a larger plan to spread influence beyond nearby areas. Iran already has power spots in the Levant and Horn of Africa regions. North Africa represents a new target area for Tehran's interests. This fits their pattern of building connections far from home territory.
Algeria gives money, weapons, and passports to Polisario Front members. It keeps their leaders in refugee camps near the Morocco border. The Algerian government uses Polisario to push against Morocco. The Washington Post found that Iran trained Polisario fighters - Syrian opposition forces hold hundreds. Their presence fighting for Bashar al-Assad shows they act as Iranian helpers. The USA recognized Western Sahara as belonging to Morocco back in 2020.
The writers think Iran supports Polisario as part of a larger plan to spread influence beyond nearby areas. Iran already has power spots in the Levant and Horn of Africa regions. North Africa represents a new target area for Tehran's interests. This fits their pattern of building connections far from home territory.
