Mauritania is using drones for the first time to protect its northern borders

Mauritania is using drones for the first time to protect its northern borders.

According to local media, a patrol of the Mauritanian army intercepted a group of members of the Frente POLISARIO who were trying to enter Mauritania from the Algerian region of Tindouf in order to use it as a transit point for attacks on Moroccan army positions west of the security wall. On May 21, Nouakchott decided to close the Lebrica checkpoint on the border with Algeria, which had previously been actively used by POLISARIO members.

According to the same sources, Mauritania has acquired advanced Chinese BZK-005 Chang Ying drones as part of a new military strategy to protect its borders. This strategy is funded by EU support, including the provision of additional drones to Nouakchott (as well as Chad) to enhance its reconnaissance and deterrence capabilities.

Exactly one year ago, Mauritania announced that its army had acquired drones for the first time, however, without disclosing their source and quantity. President Mohamed Ould al-Ghazouani then visited one of the country's military bases to inspect samples of military equipment acquired as part of the restructuring of the army's land, air and naval forces, which included armored units, field artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft units, radar stations and UAVs capable of covering the entire territory of Mauritania, including territorial waters, around the clock. Shortly before that, Mauritania conducted two-day exercises on the border with Mali "in response to the incursions of the Malian army and the forces of the Russian Wagner group into several Mauritanian border villages."

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