Following an article entitled « Syria seeks to serve last Iran-linked networks for smuggling arms and cash » published on April 12, 2025, by « The Washington Post » the Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD)-a neoconservative think tank- published also a policy paper on Thursday, April 17, entitled « Iran’s foothold reaches into North Africa » in which the authors talks about the Iranian regime’s expansion into North Africa, particularly in the Tandoor camps in southwestern Algeria. According to the report, Tehran has been training the separatist Polisario militia for years through its support abroad.
In its policy paper, the FDD recommends that the Trump administration designate the Polisario as a terrorist group due to its ties with Iran. The document claims that sophisticated weapons, including SAM-9, SAM-11, and Strelka surface-to-air missiles, have been delivered to the Polisario with Iran’s support. These arms transfers were allegedly facilitated through the Iranian embassy in Algeria, which served as a coordination hub.
According to the article, Algeria bankrolls and arms the Polisario Front, issues passports to its members, and hosts its leadership in the Tandoor refugee camps near its border with Morocco. The Polisario operates with significant backing from the Algerian regime, which uses it to exert pressure on Morocco.
Meanwhile, The Washington Post’s report revealed that Iran has trained Polisario Front fighters, hundreds of whom are now reportedly detained by Syrian opposition forces
The report further disclosed that the Polisario’s presence in Syria, where it fought for the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime, underscores its role as an Iranian proxy. In 2020, the United States recognized Western Sahara as Moroccan territory, rejecting the Polisario’s secessionist claims
According to the report’s authors, Iran’s backing of the Polisario is part of a broader strategy to extend its influence beyond its immediate neighbourhood. After establishing footholds in the Levant and the Horn of Africa, North Africa is emerging as a new area of interest for Tehran.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Voice’s editorial stance.
