Organized by the Directorate of Military History (DHM) falling under Royal Armed Forces (FAR) on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Second world War (1945-2025), this conference is to highlight the sacrifice of thousands of Moroccan soldiers Having fought alongside the Allies, between 1940 and 1945.
This meeting, which brought together historians and researchers and senior Moroccan and foreign military officials, made it possible to rekindle the memory of a crucial chapter of Moroccan and global historyand to debate various aspects of Moroccan participation in this war, in particular in terms of mobilization, organization of units and battles in which Moroccan troops have taken part, the objective being to promote this memory with rising generations.
The emphasis was also placed on the Strategic role of Morocco As a military base, a provider of troops and place of preparation for allied operations, especially during the landing in North Africa (Operation Torch, 1942).
Intervening on this occasion, the director of Royal archives, Bahy Simoureturned to “the call launched on September 3, 1939, by the Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef to the Moroccans to support France and its allies”.
“This call, anchored in a religious and national legitimation, marks a strong political turning point,” she said, noting that he has demonstrated the will of Morocco to fully participate in the world war effort and announced a deep commitment alongside France, at the military, economic and symbolic levels.
For his part, the French ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecurtierunderlined that this meeting is an opportunity to forcefully recall the major role played by the Kingdom of Morocco and its soldiers alongside France, especially in the countryside of Tunisia, Italy and in the liberation of French territory.
“I want to express my deep respect to all these fighters, who came from afar to defend freedom on our soil,” he argued.
This conference, he continued, is part of the continuity of research initiated in 2010 and 2018 with a view to strengthening the shared memory between the two nations and highlighting Deep Historical and Human Links of Morocco-French-French.
“France will never forget the 40,000 Moroccans who fell for its freedom or the 90,000 who have committed” in this war, wanted to clarify the French diplomatobserving that this “fraternity of arms is a solid base of our friendship”.
For his part, the historian Issa Babana El Alaouifrom the DHM, indicated that this conference is an opportunity to revisit history through a renewed, academic and comparative reading promoting the civil and military contributions of the nations.
-“The kingdom of Morocco, with its millennial heritage, has always defended the universal values of freedom and dignity. Its commitment alongside the allies, spontaneously expressed in 1939 by The late SM King Mohammed Vtestifies to this fidelity to the right causes, “he said.
Greeting the work of researchers and historians in the matter, Mr. Babana El Alaoui In this sense, in this sense, highlighted the extension of a commitment to the historical truth and the dialogue of civilizations.
As for the high commissioner for former resistance fighters and former members of the Liberation Army, Mustapha el ktirihe praised the bravery of Moroccan troops which showed exceptional courage beyond the borders of their country and their culture.
“These men have transcended their origins to defend universal values: freedom, solidarity and human unity. Their commitment was not a simple act of war, but a choice to defend human dignity in the face of Nazi and fascist oppression,” he said in a speech read in his name by the director of historical studies in High Commission, Hmida Maaroufi.
“More than 90,000 Moroccan soldiers took part in this fight, abandoning their land and families, ready to sacrifice everything. Their sacrifice has marked a crucial stage in the history of Morocco, which, although still under protectorate, has shown its commitment to world freedom and peace, “he said.
In stride, Pierre creditsFrench historian, professor of contemporary history at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, reviewed the flagship stages of the commitment of Moroccan soldiers alongside France during the Great War.
“Their commitment forges a sustainable alliance, concretized in particular by the construction of the Paris Mosque in 1926. This collaboration, pursued until 1939, foreshadowed a more balanced relationship between the two nations,” he said.
The director of the Royal Institute for Research on the history of Morocco, Rahal Buberikrecalled that in September 1939, Morocco mobilized to support France against Nazi Germany, adding that the kingdom also contributed to this war by its resources and its infrastructure.
This often overlooked commitment has strengthened the links between France and Morocco, he added, noting that he testifies to “exceptional historical solidarity”.
This conference took place in the presence, among others, of the brigadier general Youssef el MehdiHead of the Directorate of Military History of the FAR, of the Director General of the National Office of Combatants and War Victims (France), Marie-Christine Verdier-Jouclasas well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Moroccans residing abroad, in addition to diplomats and civilian and military officials.
