Algeria issues threat over Israel-Morocco defence cooperation

Gaza/Algiers: – Algerian President Abdel Majid Taboun threatened, ‘Anyone who dares to attack Algeria will face a strong retaliation from us.’ Last week, Israel and Morocco signed a defence cooperation agreement. There has been a backlash from Iran, Algeria, and the Fatah and Hamas groups in Palestine. The threat issued by the Algerian president appears to be the next step.

Israeli Defence Minister Beni Gantz was on a two-day visit to Morocco last week. Through the Abraham Agreement, the two countries have entered a historic defence cooperation agreement. Accordingly, the two countries will produce defence equipment and exchange confidential information. Discussions between the two countries’ defence ministers focused on the potential threat from Morocco’s neighbour Algeria.

Algeria, located in the north of Africa, has friendly relations with Iran. A few weeks ago, the Iranian Foreign Minister visited Algeria. Israel’s defence minister has warned that Algeria is taking an aggressive stance against Morocco on Iranian backing. This has prompted a strong reaction from the Algerian president.

‘There is no threat to Morocco from Algeria. Therefore, the accusations made by the leaders of Morocco and Israel are defaming Algeria.’ said President Tabun, who threatened that there would be an equivalent retaliation against an attack on Algiers. Following the Algerian president’s footsteps, both Hamas and Fatah factions in Palestine have lashed out at the Israel-Morocco agreement. ‘It is highly objectionable that Morocco has established political and military cooperation with Israel, which occupies Palestine. This poses a threat to regional security. At the same time, the agreement would allow Israel to commit more atrocities against the Palestinians.’ said Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas in Gaza. Zuhri called on Morocco to withdraw its cooperation with Israel if the crisis was to be averted.

Morocco became the third country to sign the Abraham Treaty with Israel. Accordingly, efforts are being made to establish political and military cooperation between the two countries. The cooperation based by Israel with Morocco is claimed to have shaken Algeria. So far, Algeria has been putting a lot of pressure on Morocco, given the Iranian backing. Algeria was also constantly challenging Morocco’s sovereign claim over Western Sahara.

But after participating in the Abraham treaty, Morocco will have the support of Israel and the United States. There are clear indications of this. It is being claimed that the United States, Israel and Morocco will hold joint military exercises soon. This seems to be the reason for the reaction received from Algeria.