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Rising insecurity in Tindouf camps exposes Algeria-Polisario tensions
Security conditions in and around the Tindouf camps in southern Algeria are deteriorating, as a recent armed attack targeting Chinese workers highlights the fragile situation in the region, where Algeria continues to shelter and support the Polisario Front.
The incident, reported by the Forum for Supporters of Autonomy in the Tindouf Camps (FORSATIN), involved a criminal gang assault on employees of the Chinese company CRCC, which is overseeing an Algerian-backed railway construction project. The attack occurred along the rail line linking Tindouf and Gara Djebilet, between the Dakhla and Rabouni camps, areas long under Polisario control.
According to FORSATIN, the armed group seized a black Toyota Hilux belonging to the company on Monday afternoon. Witnesses later observed the vehicle entering the Smara camp freely, despite multiple military and security checkpoints.
The attack has reportedly angered Algerian officials and exacerbated mistrust between Algiers and the Polisario leadership. Sources indicate that Algerian authorities are attempting to suppress information about the incident to avoid public outrage and minimize criticism of the Polisario’s role in the area.
This latest episode has revived fears of past kidnappings and violence near the camps, where terrorist groups and criminal networks have historically operated. Observers have warned for years about links between Polisario officials and illicit activities, including smuggling and armed assaults, which pose serious risks to foreign workers and residents alike.
Security analysts argue that the incident underscores a broader challenge: Algeria’s loss of effective control over Tindouf, a territory largely managed by the Polisario. Citizens reportedly require authorization from Polisario members to enter the zone, raising concerns about sovereignty and the safety of both locals and foreigners.
Algerian opposition figures have criticized the government’s decision to delegate authority in Tindouf to the separatist group, arguing that it sacrifices national interests under the guise of supporting Sahrawi self-determination.
As insecurity around the Tindouf camps intensifies, analysts warn that Algeria’s longstanding backing of the Polisario may be backfiring, fueling instability within its borders and across the broader Sahel and Maghreb region.