The Moroccan Royal Navy successfully rescued 168 illegal migrants of various African nationalities off the coast of Dakhla.
The group, which included six women and eight minors, was discovered aboard a boat attempting to sail towards the Canary Islands.
According to a statement released today by the General Command of the Royal Armed Forces, the rescued individuals received immediate medical attention before being handed over to the relevant authorities in the region.
The operation highlights ongoing efforts to manage migration flows and ensure the safety of those undertaking perilous journeys.
Last August, two units of the Moroccan Royal Navy saved 68 individuals from a distressed boat, including two deceased, approximately 16 kilometres southwest of Dakhla, Morocco.
The incident occurred on August 5th, as confirmed by a Moroccan Royal Armed Forces statement.
Following the rescue, the migrants received first aid and were subsequently transported to the port of Dakhla for handover to the appropriate security authorities.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France recognizes a plan for autonomy for the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty as the only way to resolve the long-standing dispute over the territory.
The conflict, which dates back to 1975, pits Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state in the region.
As the former colonial power in the area, France has balanced diplomatic relations between Rabat and Algiers.
However, most of France’s Western allies already support Morocco’s plan. The decision has angered Algeria, prompting it to withdraw its ambassador to France and appoint a charge d’affaires to handle diplomatic matters.
“For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved,” Macron wrote in a letter to King Mohammed VI.
Last month, French police evacuated numerous migrants from the capital city, Paris, in preparation for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
