Algerian Authorities Arrest 61 Moroccans Amid Rising Tensions
In early October, security forces in the Algerian coastal province of Oran apprehended 61 Moroccan citizens, as reported by the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) and the state-run Algerian news agency. The suspects are accused of plotting sabotage and public safety disturbances as part of an "international criminal network." Among those detained is a former member of the Moroccan military, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations.
According to Algerian investigative authorities, the suspects initially entered through the international airport in Tunis. From there, they reportedly traveled overland via mountain and forest paths in the El Kala region (El Tarf Province) near the Tunisian border before making their way to Oran. This operation was executed by the judicial police of Wilaya Oran under the supervision of the relevant public prosecutor's office. During the raid, authorities purportedly seized Moroccan passports and cash in euros and Moroccan dirhams. The detainees have since been presented to the organized crime department of the public prosecutor's office in Oran.
Escalating Diplomatic Strains
This incident further exacerbates the already tense relationship between Algeria and Morocco, which has been strained for years. Algeria unilaterally severed diplomatic ties with Rabat in August 2021, with the ongoing conflict over Western Sahara remaining a primary point of contention, alongside mutual accusations of interference in each other's internal affairs. Algerian media and authorities frequently depict Morocco as a security threat, often citing the cross-border smuggling of cannabis resin. With the current allegations, Algerian authorities are now attributing direct security sabotage intentions to this network.
At this time, there has been no independent verification of the Algerian claims or the specific plans of those arrested. The Moroccan government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrests, and investigations by the criminal court in Oran are ongoing. This situation underscores the complexities and sensitivities in North African geopolitics, where historical grievances and territorial disputes continue to shape diplomatic relations.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
