
Protesters have clashed with Moroccan security forces in Laayoune
Young protesters have clashed with Moroccan security forces in Laayoune, the main city of Western Sahara, torching a police vehicle, a rights activist in the disputed territory said on Tuesday. The protesters hurled petrol bombs at the
security forces who threw rocks in response and chased them, said Hamoud Iguilid from the Moroccan Association of Human Rights.
Morocco annexed the former Spanish colony in 1975 in a move never recognised by the international community, while neighbouring Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario Front and hosts Sahrawi refugee camps.
Rabat has vowed to invest heavily in Western Sahara in order to boost development and create jobs.
But the government has increasingly come in for criticism over human rights violations in the disputed territory, which it considers an integral part of its territory, and where separatist protests are not tolerated.
Iguilid said the demonstration took place on Monday evening in the Porco district of the city, with the youths shouting pro-independence slogans when the security forces arrived.
The Moroccan prefecture in Laayoune said the police vehicle, which was on a routine patrol, was completely destroyed when a petrol bomb landed inside it, and a policeman was hospitalised.
But Iguilid denied that anyone was injured, saying the protesters hit the armoured car with a petrol bomb, "which caused a bit of fire."
He described Monday's clashes as "limited," adding that there were ongoing problems between police and protesters in the city.
Source: AFP
GMT 12:44 2018 Friday ,31 August
Some permanent members of the UNSC are misusing statement of Guterres on IdlebGMT 18:16 2018 Thursday ,30 August
Damascus vows to 'liberate all of Syria'GMT 18:07 2018 Thursday ,30 August
UN extends sanctions regimeGMT 16:13 2018 Thursday ,30 August
Lavrov tells West not to obstruct anti-terror operationsGMT 17:34 2018 Wednesday ,29 August
Russia’s Putin backtracks on pension reformsGMT 15:39 2018 Wednesday ,29 August
HM the King Appoints New Walis and GovernorsGMT 08:17 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
World powers step up pressure on Syria, RussiaGMT 08:06 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
Another Sisi rival at risk of exiting Egypt election race
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor