Algeria protests planned French-Moroccan military drills near its border

By Hüsameddin Salih and Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Algeria has informed France that planned French-Moroccan military exercises near its border in September are seen as a “provocative act” that could further escalate tensions in bilateral relations.

The message was conveyed during a meeting Thursday between Lounès Magramane, Secretary-General of Algeria’s Foreign Ministry, and French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet, according to a statement from the Algerian Foreign Ministry.

The statement highlighted that the purpose of the meeting was to "draw the French diplomat’s attention to the dangers of the planned French-Moroccan military drills, set for September in Errachidia, near the Algerian border, under the name “Chergui 2025,” which carries significant implications."

In October 2024, Morocco and France conducted joint naval exercises off Morocco’s coast focused on anti-submarine warfare.

Morocco and France maintain several military cooperation agreements, with Morocco being one of the largest buyers of French weaponry.

During the meeting, Magramane told the French ambassador that Algeria considers the exercise “a provocative action” against the country and warned that such a move “would further exacerbate the crisis in Algerian-French relations, pushing tensions to a dangerous new level.”

Algeria has formally requested the French envoy to provide necessary clarifications on the matter and relay Algeria’s position to Paris as stated during the meeting.

Neither France nor Morocco has issued a response to Algeria’s statement.

Diplomatic relations between Algeria and France remain volatile, particularly due to unresolved issues stemming from France's colonization of Algeria from 1830 to 1962.

Paris has refused to fully address the historical grievances that continue to affect Algerian society.