Smara attack. The international front against the Polisario expands

As we wrote yesterday, the United States, France and the European Union (EU) were quick to condemn the cowardly terrorist attack by the separatist Polisario movement. But they were not alone.

The condemnations have since multiplied, forming a broad international wave that points to a growing global consensus in favor of Morocco and its foremost national cause.

Among them are, in no particular order, other EU countries which, like France, also chose to express their own national position: Belgium, which, on October 23, 2025, had also ultimately endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan; Czechia; and, of course, Spain, whose Pedro Sánchez government, as early as March 2022, broke a diplomatic taboo by backing Rabat’s initiative.

The United Kingdom, another major power, should also be mentioned. After years of hesitation, it too made the choice of pragmatism in June 2025.

At the regional level, the United Arab Emirates, a steadfast supporter of Morocco’s territorial integrity since the Sahara issue first emerged in the mid-1970s, used particularly strong language against the Polisario and its act, describing it as a “criminal act”. The first Arab country to react, the UAE was later followed by Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

It is worth noting that although the last three countries mentioned do not have consulates in the Southern Provinces, their language is the same as that used by the others, openly favorable to the Kingdom and to its full sovereignty over all its territory. At the same time, this is far from unprecedented on their part, given that their alignment with Morocco’s positions is a long-established reality, regularly expressed in particular through the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The GCC itself, through its Secretary-General, Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, expressed the organization’s “strong condemnation”. Among international institutions, ICESCO and the Muslim World League also voiced support for Morocco.

As for Liberia, at the African level, its Permanent Mission in New York stated that “such violence undermines regional stability and threatens the progress made towards a peaceful resolution as described in the autonomy proposal under Moroccan sovereignty”. It should be recalled that the West African country was one of the first to open a consulate in the Sahara, as a recognition of Moroccan sovereignty, in March 2020 in Dakhla.

Below is a compilation of international reactions to the Polisario attack, hour by hour.

Belgium, Friday, May 8, 2026 at 4:03 p.m.

"Belgium condemns the recent attack against the city of Smara claimed by the Polisario Front, calls for respect for the ceasefire under Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), and urges good-faith participation in the ongoing negotiation process, on the basis of the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, with a view to reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable settlement of the dispute, in accordance with the United Nations Charter."

Czechia, Friday, May 8, 2026 at 6:41 p.m.

United Kingdom, Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:31 p.m.

"The UK condemns Polisario attacks of 5 May, which risk undermining efforts towards peace. We support UN-US efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict, in line with UNSCR 2797. We encourage all parties to engage in the spirit of compromise to achieve a lasting resolution."

United Arab Emirates, Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:52 p.m.

"The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack targeting Smara city in Morocco, which resulted in the injury of one person. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reiterated the UAE’s strong condemnation of such criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability. Furthermore, the Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast position and solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco, and its full support for its legitimate sovereign rights over the Moroccan Sahara, as well as for all efforts that safeguard the security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, and contribute to promoting peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity in the region."

Liberia, Friday, May 8, 2026 at 10:13 p.m.

"Liberia condemns the attacks on civilians by the Polisario Front in Smara, echoing the concerns of members of the Security Council, MINURSO and the Personal Envoy of the SG, Mr. De Mistura. With ongoing negotiations involving all parties toward much-needed progress, the latest attack is unfortunate and a reminder that a swift return to the ceasefire in line with the provisions of Resolution 2797 (2025) must be respected. Violence of this nature undermines regional stability and threatens the progress made toward a peaceful resolution as outlined in the Autonomy Proposal under Moroccan sovereignty."

Spain, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:40 a.m.

"Spain condemns the attack in Smara on May 5. Spain calls for respect for the ceasefire and reiterates its support for the negotiation process set out in Resolution 2797, with a view to reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, while supporting efforts toward dialogue and negotiation."

Bahrain, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:59 a.m.

"The Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemned the terrorist attack targeting the city of Smara in the Kingdom of Morocco, reiterating its rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining Morocco’s stability or endangering civilians. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised Bahrain’s solidarity with Morocco and its support for Morocco’s sovereign rights over the Moroccan Sahara. The ministry also expressed support for measures undertaken by Morocco to safeguard its security, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty. The ministry further highlighted the importance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 regarding Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative, noting that it serves as a basis for achieving lasting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Moroccan Sahara."

Jordan, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 12:23 p.m.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the city of Smara in the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco. The Ministry’s official spokesperson, Ambassador Fouad Majali, affirmed the Kingdom’s full solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco, as well as its full support for Morocco’s legitimate sovereign rights in the Moroccan Sahara and for the measures it takes to preserve its security, stability, sovereignty and territorial unity. He also stressed the Kingdom’s rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability."

Qatar, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1:44 p.m.

"The State of Qatar condemns the attack that targeted the city of Smara in the Kingdom of Morocco. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms Qatar's full solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco and support for Morocco's sovereign rights in the Moroccan Sahara, as well as all measures taken to preserve its sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, security, and stability. The Ministry reiterates Qatar's firm stance rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motives or justifications."

Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1:49 p.m.

"The Embassy [of Saudi Arabia in Rabat, author of the Saudi statement, Editor’s note] expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation, in the strongest terms, of the attack that targeted the Moroccan city of Smara. The Embassy reaffirms the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism, and reiterates its solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as its full support for everything that preserves its security, stability and prosperity."

Kuwait, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 7:06 p.m.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Kuwait’s condemnation of the attack that targeted the Moroccan city of Smara. The Ministry reaffirms the State of Kuwait’s categorical rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, reiterating its full solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco and its support for everything that preserves Morocco’s security and stability."

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 7:37 p.m.

"The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) strongly condemns the attack targeting the city of Es-Semara in the Kingdom of Morocco, the Organization’s host country. ICESCO reaffirms its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco and its support for the unity and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, as well as for all efforts aimed at preserving its sovereignty, security, and stability. In this regard, ICESCO reiterates its categorical rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism and calls for upholding the values of peace, dialogue, and fraternity, which constitute the essence of our true Islamic religion."

The Muslim World League, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:07 p.m.

"The Muslim World League (MWL) has condemned the attack that targeted the Moroccan city of Smara. In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Secretary-General of the MWL and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, expressed solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco in confronting everything that threatens its security, stability, and sovereignty. He also reaffirmed the MWL's stance rejecting and condemning violence and terrorism in all their forms and pretexts."

The Gulf Cooperation Council, Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 6:39 p.m.

"His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned the attack that targeted the city of Es-Semara in the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco, expressing the Council's denunciation of such criminal attacks aimed at undermining the security and stability of the Kingdom. His Excellency underscored the GCC's full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco, reiterating the Council's firm position rejecting all forms of violence, terrorism, and actions intended to destabilise peace and security. His Excellency also emphasised the significance of bolstering international efforts aimed at confronting organisations and groups that threaten the security and stability of nations.​"