Bourita warns of Algeria's war intentions against Morocco
Before the national parliament, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, has warned of Algeria's war plans against Morocco, highlighting the growing tensions between the two nations.
As the head of Moroccan diplomacy stressed, there are ‘signs that demonstrate Algeria's will to start a war in the region and a military confrontation with Morocco’. In this sense, Bourita underlined that the Algerian regime is seeking an ‘escalation’ and a ‘confrontation’ with the kingdom. Such unprecedented statements are a departure from the usual diplomatic tone and reveal the gravity of the current situation, marking a turning point in the diplomatic confrontation between Algiers and Rabat.
Furthermore, these statements, made before the House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defence, Islamic Affairs, Migration and MRE, during the presentation of the 2025 sectoral budget, reflect a shift towards a more vigilant stance.
Despite the complexity of relations and constant disagreements, Morocco's attitude towards its neighbour has always been marked by an ‘outstretched hand’ policy. 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 cease destabilising moves. The monarch underlined these moves, denouncing those who ‘use the Sahara issue to hide their own internal problems’.
In this sense, increased tensions with Morocco could provide an escape route for Algiers, allowing the regime to refocus public debate around an external threat and strengthen its own legitimacy.
Likewise, an escalation could give Algiers the opportunity to divert public opinion away from the political and economic crisis the country has been suffering since 2019, just as 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 on the Green March commemoration 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 stage in relation to 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 regional interests and influence. In this regard, it is worth noting that Security Council Resolution 2576, adopted in favour of Morocco, also increased Algeria's frustration, which, isolated on the Saharawi issue, decided to abstain from voting in protest.
On the military front, the situation has also been tense since Morocco and Israel signed a strategic cooperation agreement in November 2021. This partnership, aimed at reinforcing Moroccan defence capabilities, increased tension with Algeria.
Indeed, an Algerian military source quoted by the French newspaper L'Opinion went so far as to claim shortly after this agreement that the time had come for ‘a military intervention against Morocco, promoting Algiers’ military superiority'.
Since then, Morocco has redoubled its efforts to modernise its Royal Armed Forces (FAR), strengthening its defence through new acquisitions of sophisticated equipment and developing a national military industry. However, this strategic redeployment, initiated in response to growing threats, is fuelling mistrust in Algiers, contributing to rising tensions.
For its part, Algeria has also allocated more funds to its military industry. The regime decided to allocate 25 billion dollars to the army in the 2025 finance bill, up from 21.6 billion dollars in 2024 and 18 billion dollars in 2023.