ORDER OF BATTLE // January 28, 1979
Battle of Tan-Tan
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 350–3,850 estimated
RASD
200–3,700
Medium-confidence figure
Maroc
150
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Tan-Tan marked a significant incursion by Polisario Front forces into Moroccan territory proper, extending the Western Sahara War beyond the disputed territory into southern Morocco. The engagement, involving SADR commanders Lahbib Ayoub and Sidi Ahmed El Batal against Moroccan forces under Abdelaziz Bennani, demonstrated the Polisario Front's capacity to project force across the border and strike at Moroccan soil. The wide disparity in reported force sizes on the SADR side reflects the uncertainty surrounding the engagement, while Moroccan forces numbered approximately 150. No outcome was recorded, leaving the battle's immediate tactical result unclear, though the operation itself signaled the broader reach of the Polisario campaign during this phase of the war.
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