The Mauritanian judiciary has ordered the detention of nine gold prospectors accused of attacking a Polisario position in the Mijek area, east of the Sand Wall. Two other prospectors have been granted provisional release, according to a local outlet based in Zouerate. No trial date has yet been set. The incident dates back to October 30, when the group reportedly assaulted a Polisario post, seizing weapons before retreating to Mauritanian territory. The attack is believed to have been carried out in retaliation for the kidnapping of Mauritanian gold seekers by armed Polisario elements a few weeks earlier while they were still on national soil. However, Mauritanian authorities have not arrested the kidnappers, and no international warrants have been issued against them, a discrepancy that has sparked debate in Nouakchott. Observers note that Polisario fighters continue to cross into Mauritanian territory illegally to stage attacks against Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) positions or civilian targets in the Mahbes and Es-Smara regions, west of the Sand Wall.
