The expansion of the Bir Anzarane airbase, located at the entrance to Dakhla, exemplifies the evolution of Morocco's military capabilities in the Sahara. This site is emerging as a strategic hub with regional implications. DR ‹ › The expansion of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) airbase at Bir Anzarane in the Sahara is garnering significant attention. According to Defensa.com, this strategically located facility "in the heart of the desert has become a pivotal element in Morocco's strategy to assert comprehensive control over its southern provinces." The specialized outlet further notes that "the importance of this project is amplified by speculations about potential American interest in the site." A source familiar with the situation told Yabiladi, "The base is situated at the entrance of Dakhla, covering approximately 5 km. Originally a modest airport for helicopters, it has been significantly expanded and modernized in recent years. This transformation, especially following the United States' recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara on December 10, 2020, allows it to now host fighter jets, drones, and advanced helicopters like the Apaches." The American interest in the base is indeed tangible, largely driven by the shift in the United States' policy on Western Sahara. Prior to this recognition, the American military presence was confined to the Oued Draa base near Tan-Tan. Now, they can travel to Laâyoune and Dakhla without provoking the ire of Algeria and Polisario supporters in Washington, the source explains. It's noteworthy that in the early 2000s, Tan-Tan was considered as a potential site for the AFRICOM headquarters, which was eventually established in Stuttgart, Germany. Bir Anzarane and the Sahel A Moroccan-American collaboration to stabilize the Sahel region from Bir Anzarane is a possibility. "In 2024, the United States was compelled to vacate their drone base in Agadez, Niger, at the behest of the new authorities there. The Bir Anzarane base in Morocco could serve as a substitute for this strategic withdrawal," our source points out. Additionally, Rabat and Washington signed a new defense cooperation roadmap on April 16, aiming to bolster their military and strategic ties over the next decade. The integration of Africa into this partnership appears to be a logical progression. In recent years, Morocco has enhanced its military cooperation with several African nations, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and the Sahel states. "In this context, Morocco's potential intervention from the Bir Anzarane base to stabilize these regions is both considered and desired. The kingdom would simply be securing its strategic depth," our interlocutor remarks. Defensa.com provides details about the infrastructure at the Bir Anzarane base. It boasts a runway exceeding three kilometers in length, capable of accommodating a variety of aircraft, including heavy cargo planes and those requiring extended takeoff and landing distances. The base also features a modern control tower, two hangars for aircraft maintenance and parking, and an administrative and residential area designed to support personnel for prolonged periods. "The facility includes three depots, presumably for munitions, and a radar shelter for aerial surveillance," the specialized media outlet specifies. The direct military impact of this base is significant, with the potential to shift the dynamics of engagement and surveillance in the southeastern Sahara sector. "The deployment of drones at Bir Anzarane now guarantees continuous monitoring of the sand wall, both east and south, along the Mauritanian border. This strategic positioning allows ground control operations to cover a radius of 300 kilometers," the media concludes.
