The hearing, convened by the Senate Subcommittee on the Middle East and Counterterrorism, was attended by several senior senators and State Department officials. Influential Senator Ted Cruz warned that “terrorist activities in the Sahel are the work of the Polisario Front, which represents a significant gap in our counterterrorism strategy.”

Cruz cautioned that Iran seeks to “transform the Polisario Front into something similar to the Houthis in West Africa, using it as a proxy force capable of waging war, threatening regional stability, and pressuring US partners.”

He explained that “whenever Iran seeks to exert influence, the Polisario Front collaborates with Iranian terrorist groups,” adding that the separatist movement possesses drones supplied by the IRGC and transports weapons and resources throughout the region—particularly to jihadist organizations and other armed groups.

Senator Cruz further emphasized, “I believe the Polisario Front should be designated a terrorist organization, and I have prepared legislation to that effect should it fail to change its behavior,” noting that Polisario members have benefited from military training provided by Iran and have received weapons from Hezbollah.

In response to questions from subcommittee members, Joel Burkert, Assistant Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US State Department, affirmed that the US administration continues to work closely with countries in the region to “counter the threat posed by Iran and its proxies” in North Africa and the Sahel.

He stated that “the Trump administration has made it clear that counterterrorism will remain a top priority to ensure the security of our national territory,” adding, “We will continue to act in a targeted and resolute manner alongside partners who share our commitment to combating terrorist threats.”

Burkert explained that “North Africa has many capable and increasingly self-reliant partners, and we will continue to work with them to identify and neutralize threats to US interests and our shared security.”

In this context, the State Department official praised the high level of cooperation with Morocco, stressing that the Kingdom has become a key contributor to regional stability and security by sharing its capabilities and expertise with Sahel countries.

For his part, Robert Palladino, a senior official in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the US State Department, stated that Morocco is a major non-NATO ally of the United States and a strategic partner, particularly in counterterrorism and intelligence cooperation.

Palladino also reiterated President Donald Trump’s “clear commitment” to reaching a final resolution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, noting that the United States remains dedicated to this objective in order to promote regional peace and security and prevent the emergence of new terrorist threats in the area.

News and events on Western Sahara issue/ CORCAS