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BATTLE // October 13, 1981

Battle of Guelta Zemmur

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Overview

The Battle of Guelta Zemmur occurred between 13 and 23 October 1981 when Polisario Front attacked the Moroccan garrison at Guelta Zemmur in Western Sahara. Using heavy military equipment including tanks and surface-to-air missiles, the Polisario Front defeated the Moroccan garrison forces entrenched around the town. Three to Five Moroccan planes were shot down, including a C-130 Hercules. Moroccan armed forces then aggressively counterattacked and drove the Polisario out of the town, but later abandoned it as they retrenched behind the belt.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • Morocco2,400–2,600
    medium
  • Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic3,000
    medium

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic fielded a 1.2 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Maroc130–400
    medium

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Last verified June 2026
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