Deaths in Western Sahara camp raid

At least four people have been killed and 70 injured in a raid by Moroccan forces on a protest camp in the disputed region of Western Sahara, sources on both rival sides have said. The Gdaim Izik camp, which houses 12,000 Saharawi refugess, had sprung up outside Laayoune, the main town in Western Sahara, four weeks ago, in protest against the deterioration of living conditions in the area. The violence, which later spread to the streets of Laayoune itself, comes on the eve of talks between Morocco and the Polisario Front movement, which seeks independence for the Western Sahara, in the US aimed at ending the conflict over the region. Protesters, including women and children, said security forces attempting to shut down the camp used tear gas and beat them with batons. Morocco said two of its police officers and a firefighter were killed by protesters, while the pro-independence Polisario Front said Moroccan security forces killed a 26-year-old activist during the raid. Officials said the camp had been stormed to release people being held against their will. The Polisario Front accused the security forces of injuring hundreds of people in the dawn raid.