Algerian-backed rebels in a region claimed by Morocco are said to have lost much of their military capability. A report asserted that the Polisario has experienced a drop in its fighting ability. The group's fighters, drawn from the 160,000 Sahrawi nationalists in Western Sahara, have aged and its weapons have not been upgraded. "While Morocco's standing army has developed over the years of ceasefire, Polisario's guerrilla fighters have mostly been stood down," Middle East Report, published in Philadelphia, said. "Veterans are now too old to fight, and the weapons stock is likely to have deteriorated." Authored by London-based analyst Toby Shelley, the report said the Polisario has few options amid United Nations efforts to resolve sovereignty over Western Sahara. The report, entitled "Behind the Baker Plan for Western Sahara," said Algeria might no longer provide Polisario with safe haven and a supply of weapons.
| Maybe Algeria's sick of dealing with "freedom fighters." That's an interesting strategy on the part of Morocco, though — waiting until the enemy dies of old age. |
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