The 2,700-kilometer desert barrier dividing Western Sahara

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning the edge of the Sahara, the Moroccan Berm is more than just a sand wall. It is a massive, fortified complex of bunkers, radar, and the world’s longest continuous minefield, designed to physically separate territories and control access to vital natural resources.

Constructed in six distinct stages between 1980 and 1987, the Moroccan Western Sahara wall—also known as the Berm—serves as a physical divide between Moroccan-occupied areas and the Polisario-controlled 'Free Zone.' The fortification was built to restrict Sahrawi independence movements from accessing the western region's natural resources, which are located within the Moroccan-held Southern Provinces.

The structure is a sophisticated military installation rather than a simple mound of earth. It consists of sand and stone berms roughly 3 meters high, interspersed with bunkers, fences, and artillery posts. The Moroccan side features military bases, airfields, and electronic surveillance equipment, including radar masts with an estimated range of 60 to 80 km into Polisario territory. This system is bolstered by a continuous minebelt, thought to be the longest of its kind in the world.

The construction of the wall involved international expertise and funding, including contributions from France, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Early stages also utilized South African military engineers and mercenaries. While the main external line extends approximately 2,500 km, the entire network of six lines of fortifications covers a vast area, sometimes even extending several kilometers into internationally recognized Mauritanian territory.

The human cost of the barrier remains a point of intense international contention. Since 2008, activists have organized 'The Thousand Column' demonstrations to demand the wall's demolition. The presence of landmines continues to pose lethal risks; in 2009, a teenage Sahrawi refugee, Ibrahim Hussein Leibeit, lost half of his leg to an explosion while attempting to throw stones across the line.

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