Morocco – Algeria: Amid Tensions, Rabat Strengthens Military Power with 600 U.S. Missiles
Tensions between Morocco and Algeria have remained high since the closure of their border in August 1994. This ongoing rivalry is fueling an arms race in the region.
On Tuesday, Washington approved the sale of 600 Stinger portable surface-to-air missiles to Morocco, worth 825 million dollars (approximately 730 million euros). This decision was approved by the U.S. State Department and officially notified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
Strategic Enhancement of Moroccan Capabilities
In a statement, the DSCA noted that Morocco plans to use these missiles to modernize its armed forces and boost its short-range air defense capabilities.
“This sale will improve Morocco’s ability to respond to current and future threats,” the agency stated, also highlighting the increased interoperability between Morocco’s military and those of the United States and its allies.
A Stronger Alliance with Washington
Rabat’s ties with Washington strengthened under President Donald Trump, particularly after the U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020. In return, Morocco agreed to normalize its relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed American support for Morocco’s position, during a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Washington.
Western Sahara at the Heart of Regional Tensions
The Western Sahara issue remains a major point of contention between Rabat and Algiers. In 2023, France publicly supported Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, prompting Algeria to recall its ambassador to Paris, triggering a new diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
On another front, Paris is now considering recognizing the State of Palestine but wants in return a broader recognition of Israel by Arab countries. This demand remains unacceptable to several African nations, including Algeria, which does not recognize Israel, along with Djibouti, Comoros, Somalia, Mali, Niger, Tunisia, and Mauritania.
A Growing Arms Race Between Morocco and Algeria
The military escalation between Morocco and Algeria is intensifying. According to Jean-François Daguzan, a specialist in Maghreb affairs and associate researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research, Algeria possesses an impressive stockpile of missiles, dedicating about 20% of its GDP to defense, compared to 10% for Morocco.
“These are substantial military investments for both countries,” he noted.
