Morocco has a new military zone on the border with Algeria

Moroccan guards patrol along the border with Algeria, in the Oujda region, in November 2021 (illustrative image) AFP - FADEL SENNA

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Morocco has set up a new military zone, to the east, on its border with Algeria, while the tension between the two countries does not seem to be easing.

It will be the second military zone like the one to the south in Western Sahara.

This military zone extends along the border with Algeria, over a distance of 1,559 km.

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According to the latest issue of the review of the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco (FAR-Morocco), General Mohammed al-Miqdad, known for having fought in Western Sahara, was appointed commander of the eastern division last January.

Until now, Morocco had only one military zone, in the south, on the border of the Sahrawi region disputed with the Polisario, and it is in a context of strong tension between Algiers and Rabat that the creation of this zone intervenes military on the border with Algeria, while the situation " 

 ", estimated the Algerian President Tebboune in his last intervention. 

For the Moroccan soldiers, it is a " 

 ", a response " 

".

As for observers, it constitutes a reversal of Morocco, which already deployed security forces there a month ago.

Concretely, this new military zone, intended as an extension of the southern military zone, involves the deployment of anti-aircraft defense systems, surveillance radars and drones.

Its creation also involves the positioning of fixed military units and sometimes also the application of military law. 

According to several observers, the two countries engaged in a standoff and in an arms race maintain " 

", without however wanting to engage in a real escalation.

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