Before the national parliament, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, warned against Algeria’s war plans against Moroccohighlighting the growing tensions between the two nations.
As the head of Moroccan diplomacy pointed out, there is “signs which demonstrate Algeria’s desire to trigger a war in the region and a military confrontation with Morocco”. In this sense, Bourita stressed that the Algerian regime is seeking an “escalation” and a “confrontation” with the kingdom. These unprecedented statements depart from the usual diplomatic tone and reveal the seriousness of the current situation, marking a turning point in the diplomatic confrontation between Algiers and Rabat.
In addition, these statements, made before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs, Migration and MRE of the House of Representatives, during the presentation of the 2025 sectoral budget, reflect an evolution towards a more vigilant position.
Despite the complexity of relations and constant disagreements, Morocco’s attitude towards its neighbor has always been marked by the policy of outstretched hands. However, Bourita’s recent warnings reflect a radical change.
The minister’s comments come just days after a speech by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI in which he urged Algeria to stop its destabilizing maneuvers. The monarch highlighted these initiatives, denouncing those who “use the Sahara issue to hide their own internal problems”.
In this sense, increased tensions with Morocco could constitute an escape route for Algiers, allowing the regime to refocus the public debate around an external threat and strengthen its own legitimacy.
Likewise, an escalation could give Algiers the opportunity to divert public opinion from the political and economic crisis that the country has been going through since 2019while shortages of basic necessities and the rise of popular demands have increased pressure on the Algerian government, which is taking advantage of the confrontation with the Kingdom to use the “external enemy” card.
Bourita’s statements also coincide with a Polisario Front missile attack against the commemoration of the Green March in the Moroccan region of Mahbes.
Moroccan media report that a possible war would be Algeria’s response to “Rabat’s achievements on the international scene regarding the Sahara issue”including France’s recent recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the region.
Morocco’s diplomatic successes are perceived by Algiers as a direct threat to its interests and influence in the region. In this regard, it should be noted that Security Council Resolution 2576, adopted in favor of Morocco, also increased the frustration of Algeria which, isolated on the Sahrawi question, decided to abstain from voting as a sign of protest.
On the military level, the situation has also been tense since Morocco and Israel signed a strategic cooperation agreement in November 2021. This partnership, which aims to strengthen Moroccan defense capabilities, has increased tension with Algeria.
Indeed, an Algerian military source cited by the French newspaper L’Opinion went so far as to assert shortly after this agreement that the time had come “a military intervention against Morocco, highlighting the military superiority of Algiers”.
From, Morocco has redoubled its efforts to modernize its Royal Armed Forces (FAR)by strengthening its defense through new acquisitions of sophisticated equipment and by developing a national military industry. However, this strategic redeployment, initiated in response to growing threats, fuels mistrust in Algiers and contributes to rising tensions.
For his part, Algeria has also allocated more funds to its military industry. The regime has decided to allocate $25 billion to the army in the 2025 finance bill, compared to $21.6 billion in 2024 and $18 billion in 2023.
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