El Aaiún, Occupied Western Sahara—May 7, 2025
In a renewed wave of repression against Sahrawi human rights defenders, Moroccan occupation forces have imposed a tight siege on the home of prominent activist Lahcen Dalil in the occupied city of El Aaiún.

Dalil, the president of the Association for the Monitoring of Natural Resources in Western Sahara, has long been targeted for his outspoken advocacy against the plundering of Sahrawi resources and his call for self-determination. The siege coincides with preparations for the May 10th commemoration—an annual event marking the founding of the Polisario Front and the broader Sahrawi liberation struggle.

Eyewitnesses report a heavy presence of plainclothes agents and Moroccan security forces surrounding Dalil’s residence, effectively cutting off access to visitors, journalists, and even neighbors. Local sources say that the siege is part of a larger crackdown on Sahrawi activists seeking to express their political and cultural identity peacefully.

“This is not just an act of intimidation—it is part of a systematic campaign to silence those who speak out against occupation and injustice,” said a colleague of Dalil, who asked to remain anonymous due to security concerns.

Photographic evidence obtained by local human rights observers shows individuals directly involved in the operation. The Sahrawi community is calling for international organizations and media outlets to closely monitor the situation, raise awareness, and hold the Moroccan authorities accountable for ongoing violations of international law in the occupied territory.

Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned the repression of Sahrawi activists, including arbitrary detentions, surveillance, and restrictions on freedom of movement.

As the May 10th anniversary approaches, tensions remain high across Western Sahara, with activists reporting increased surveillance and harassment in multiple cities under Moroccan control.