The Algerian army killed Sahrawi gold miners on Tuesday, May 28, near the «camp Dakhla», located on Algerian territory about 200 km from the Tindouf camps, the Forum de Soutien aux Autonomistes de Tindouf (FORSATIN) has announced.
Relatives of the victims confirmed the attack in audio messages obtained by Yabiladi. They also cited the names of those killed. The exact death toll from the strike, believed to be carried out by drone, is not yet known. Testimonies estimate the number of dead at 10. The injured were evacuated to the hospital in the Algerian wilaya of Tindouf, according to FORSATIN.
In a similar incident at the end of April, elements of the Algerian army killed three Sahrawi gold miners near the «camp Dakhla». A military patrol reportedly spotted the miners’ vehicle and gave chase, resulting in gunfire. In October 2020, two Saharawi gold miners were burnt alive by Algerian soldiers in the seven-meter-deep shaft they were digging.
As in previous operations by the Algerian army against Sahrawi gold miners, the Polisario has remained silent on the matter.