RT-Engels: 17-08-2024,
Algeria and Morocco have long been rivals, even though their peoples have close ties
For several years, media discussions about the looming threat of war between Algeria and Morocco have persisted, since Algiers severed diplomatic ties with Rabat in August 2021. Reports closely monitor border conflicts and the arms race between the two nations. This tension is fueled by propaganda from both sides, which means that we have to approach news about Morocco and Algeria with caution.
Closed border
In mid-July 2024, leading Moroccan news outlet Hespress reported that Algeria was planning to construct a fence along the Bin Lejraf area, which serves as the primary entry point into the Moroccan city of Saidia, located next to the Algerian coastal town of Marsa Ben M’Hidi.
Bin Lejraf is a valley nestled between two mountains on either side of the border. Here, Algerians and Moroccans often gather, sometimes just to catch a glimpse of relatives and friends living across the closed border.
The land border between the two countries has been shut for nearly 30 years, following a terrorist attack in August 1994 at the Atlas Asni hotel in Marrakech that resulted in the deaths of two Spanish tourists. At that time, Moroccan King Hassan II suspected Algerian involvement in the incident and imposed a visa regime with Algeria. In retaliation, Algerian President Liamine Zeroual completely closed the land border with Morocco, separating many families and complicating interactions between ordinary Moroccans and Algerians.