Haousa (Western Sahara)

Haousa (also Haouza or Hawza ; Arabic الحوزة al-Hawza , DMG al-Ḥauza ) is a city in the northern part of Western Sahara . Like much of the Western Sahara, the place isoccupiedby Morocco .

Haousa has a population of 8,769 (2004). In 1994 only 2940 inhabitants were counted. The population has increased sharply in a short time. As part of the Western Sahara conflict, mines were laid in the area around Haousa , which still pose a threat to people today.

In October 1975 the Spanish military withdrew from Haousa. The place was then in the hands of the Western Saharan liberation movement POLISARIO . In connection with the so-called Green March , the Moroccan military then advanced on Haousa on October 31, 1975 . Fighting broke out in which the Moroccan army initially had the upper hand. However, the area was later controlled by the Sahara Democratic Arab Republic (DARS) and its military arm, the POLISARIO. At times, Haousa was the provisional capital of the DARS. In 1984 Morocco managed to take the city.

A partnership exists with Terranuova Bracciolini in the province of Arezzo , Tuscany , Italy .

Coordinates: 27 ° 5 ′  N , 11 ° 9 ′  W