Morocco FAR signs deal with Harmattan AI for autonomous defense systems

The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have signed a strategic partnership agreement with Harmattan AI, the French defense technology company announced in a statement. According to the company, the agreement aims to «establish production capabilities in Morocco for the manufacturing of autonomous defense systems, create an ambitious research and development center dedicated to artificial intelligence for defense applications, and develop partnerships with Moroccan higher education and research

Jadyetu Mahmoud urges UN probe into sexual violence allegations against Brahim Ghali

The president of the International Human Rights Network (RIDH), Jadyetu Mahmoud, has denounced the sexual violence she says she suffered and reiterated her accusations against Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali. Speaking at a recent conference held at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva, the activist condemned what she described as the impunity surrounding violations of the rights of women in vulnerable situations. Mahmoud called on «international organizations, United Nations mechanisms and

Recruitment of Moroccan bus drivers sparks political controversy in Italy

A plan to recruit bus drivers from Morocco is stirring controversy in Italy, where a right-wing political movement has criticized the initiative and called for priority to be given to Italian jobseekers. The debate centers on ATAP, a public transport company serving the provinces of Vercelli and Biella in the northern Piedmont region. The company recently announced plans to hire drivers from Morocco to address staff shortages affecting local bus services. In a statement issued on June 16,

Spain delays Bildu question on death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz

The Spanish government has chosen to hold off on answering a parliamentary question submitted by the Basque pro-independence coalition Bildu concerning the death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, announced on June 7. The question, initially scheduled for the agenda of the executive’s weekly accountability session, has been postponed until next Wednesday due to the absence of Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, according to the conservative daily ABC. Sources close to Prime Minister

Morocco majority rejects fuel price cap and Samir takeover bills

The opposition did not have long to savor its victory in the House of Councillors. Last week, it managed to push through, in committee, two draft laws: one to cap fuel prices and the other to transfer Samir’s assets to the Moroccan state. However, during the plenary session held Tuesday night, the majority struck back. Supported by the employers’ group as well as the General Union of Workers in Morocco (UGTM), the trade-union arm of the Istiqlal Party, it rejected both texts by 29

Defense: Morocco and France hold talks on the sidelines of the Eurosatory trade show

The Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defence Administration, Abdellatif Loudiyi, is in Paris for Eurosatory, one of the world's leading defence and security exhibitions, being held from June 15 to 19. On the sidelines of the event, he held talks with France’s Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, Catherine Vautrin. «Our discussions reaffirmed the strength of the Franco-Moroccan defence partnership and our shared ambition to deepen our capability and industrial

MINURSO dismisses chief engineer as Sahara mission downsizing deepens

MINURSO is quietly continuing the staff reduction policy it launched nearly a year ago. The UN mission’s chief engineer, Laith Haddadin, has been dismissed, Yabiladi has learned from a source familiar with the matter. In this key position, Haddadin oversaw transport infrastructure and logistics operations serving MINURSO’s observation posts on both sides of the Sand Wall. In September 2025, Yabiladi exclusively revealed the closure of three of these observation posts. The three

Mountakhab 2026: Munir El Kajoui, the goalkeeper for every generation

At 37, Munir El Kajoui is preparing to play in his third World Cup in Morocco’s colors. The RS Berkane goalkeeper, who was there when the Atlas Lions returned to the global stage in 2018 and then reached the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, has been part of every stage of Moroccan football’s rise for more than a decade.

Morocco rises to 65th in Global Peace Index and leads Maghreb

The 2026 Global Peace Index, issued by the Institute for Economics and Peace, ranked Morocco 65th worldwide out of 163 countries, placing it seventh on the African continent and fourth in the Arab world.

2026 World Cup: In Montpellier, Morocco’s diaspora rallies behind the Atlas Lions

Match screenings, community gatherings and a spirit of togetherness. In Montpellier, the Association of Moroccan Youth in Montpellier (AJMM) is using the 2026 World Cup as an opportunity to bring the community together around the Atlas Lions’ matches. It is an initiative that goes well beyond sport.