Claim: The unexpected attack by the Moroccans to Amgala caused much anger, as well as heavy damage, and 99 Algerian soldiers were captured; but an all-out war between the two countries was avoided because of the decisive action of the president of Algeria at that time.
Evidence: Because of its ample supply of water, Amgala was an important place in the Saguia el-Hamra Valley and Algerian troops set up a Polisario base here where refugees could be given food and medical assistance and transported onward to Algeria. The unexpected attack by the Moroccans caused much anger as well as heavy damage, and ninety-nine Algerian soldiers were captured. An all-out war between the two countries was only avoided because of decisive action by President Houari Boumediene of Algeria. In January 1976 and again in February 1976, clashes took place in Amgala between units of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (RMA) and Polisario Front forces (SPLA), supported by units of the Algerian Army. Houari Boumédiène, also transcribed Boumediene, Boumedienne etc. (Arabic: هواري بومدين‎ ; ALA-LC: Hawwārī Būmadyan; 23 August 1932 – 27 December 1978), served as Chairman of the Revolutionary Council of Algeria from 19 June 1965 until 12 December 1976 and thereafter as the second President of Algeria until his death on 27 December 1978.