Morocco says it bombed rebels in Western Sahara

October 22, 1981

Morocco says its Air Force crossed into Mauritania to bomb Polisario Front guerrilla positions after a major battle in the Western Sahara. Monday the planes attacked guerrillas who fled to Mauritania last week after a tank and missile attack on the garrison of Guelta Zemmour, the government said.

Morocco's King Hassan has often threatened hot pursuit against the guerrillas , who are said to have their main bases in Mauritania and Algeria. But this was the first time in the five-year conflict that Morocco reported attacking them across the frontier.