The Berm

The berm, in Western Sahara, is a1,600 Km long system (approximate figure) of defensive sand walls built in six stages between 1981-1987. It was constructed by the Royal Moroccan Army (RMA)/Forces Armées Royales (FAR) to defend the Moroccan controlled territory, from attacks by the Military Forces of the Frente POLISARIO (the Frente POLISARIO calls its forces 'Ejército de Liberación Popular Saharaui, ELPS'), during the war over the territory of Western Sahara (1976-1991).

The berm is made of earth, rock and sand and is in most places, three metres high. There are Moroccan garrisons (strong points) regularly spaced every 5 Km along its length, protected by bunkers, trenches, barbed wire fences, landmines (anti-personnel and anti-tank) and electronic detection systems.

Mobile reserves of Moroccan forces are located in garrisons behind the berm. The areas adjacent to the wall, particularly on the east side, hold the biggest concentration of landmines in Western Sahara.

The term berm (French berme, from Dutch berm, from Middle Dutch bœrm , berme) meaning defensive wall is commonly employed, in UN documents, to designate this mined sand wall, which cuts through the entire length of the Territory. The term is occasionally expanded to ‘the defensive berm’.