Towards an escalation of tensions between Morocco and Algeria? The Italian site Geopolitical News is tempted to answer this question in the affirmative, given Algeria’s recent deployment of troops in Tindouf, not far from the border with Morocco. “The conflict between Morocco and Algeria over Western Sahara could soon degenerate into open war,” fears the media. In an article titled “Moroccan Sahara: Algeria sends troops to Tindouf”, the Italian site notes that unlike Morocco which has opted for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Sahara, Algeria displays its warlike ambitions .
The author of the article, Giuseppe Gagliano, says he fears a “high intensity war” between Algeria and Morocco, stressing that “since 1973, Algeria has invested enormous resources” to support the Front’s militias. Polisario against Morocco in this conflict. During this time, the kingdom has “achieved significant diplomatic successes that bring it closer to a settlement of the conflict within the UN framework, strengthening its control over the region and gaining the support of many countries for its autonomy plan in the Sahara,” notes the Italian media.
To read: This unhealthy war that Algeria is waging in Morocco
This diplomatic success of Morocco would be at the origin of the “frustration” of Algeria which would consider launching into “a fratricidal war between two neighboring countries historically linked by deep cultural and social ties”, analyzes the site which recalls that tensions between Rabat and Algiers have been exacerbated since 2020, the year of the election of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the arrival of General Saïd Chengriha at the head of the Algerian army.
Since then, the Algerian regime has multiplied hostile acts against Morocco with which it unilaterally severed diplomatic relations. Algiers has closed the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing Morocco, as well as its airspace to Moroccan planes. He also banned ships transiting through Morocco from docking in Algerian ports, and imposed visas on Moroccans. Land, air and sea borders between the two countries have been closed for decades.
