Algeria Accuses Morocco of Threatening National Security
Algeria has officially imposed visa requirements on Moroccan citizens, accusing Morocco of actions that jeopardize Algeria’s national security. According to Algeria’s state news agency, APS, Morocco allegedly deployed “Zionist espionage agents” using Moroccan passports to gain entry into the country. This decision signals a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the neighboring countries, whose relations have been strained for years.
The Algerian government also accused Morocco of supporting illegal activities within its borders, including organized crime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal immigration. These accusations were heightened after the recent arrest of seven people in Tlemcen, four of whom were Moroccan nationals, who were allegedly part of a spy ring. These incidents have fueled Algeria’s decision to impose stricter measures on Moroccan travelers.
Diplomatic relations between Algeria and Morocco have been severed since August 2021. Algeria accused Morocco of “hostile acts” following Morocco’s decision to normalize relations with Israel. In 2020, former U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, further escalating tensions with Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front’s independence efforts in the region.
Although the land border between Algeria and Morocco has been closed for 30 years, citizens from both countries were previously allowed to travel visa-free. However, Algeria’s new visa requirement marks another layer of restriction, signaling the depth of the diplomatic rift between the two nations. This latest move further limits cross-border travel between the two North African countries, where direct flights have already been suspended.
In addition to the espionage claims, Algeria accuses Morocco of supporting the MAK movement, which seeks independence for the Berber Kabylie region. As the tension escalates, Morocco has labeled Algeria’s actions as “completely unjustified.” The strained relations between the two countries continue to deepen, with no immediate resolution in sight.
AFP
