The Algerian Ministry of defense, headed by President Abdelmajid Tebboune, has accused Morocco and "Zionists" of hiring "ignorants" to spread "fake news" regarding Algeria's intention to deploy troops to the Sahel, "under the auspices of the G5 Sahel Group, which is false and unacceptable".
The ministry "categorically denies all these tendencious allegations and devious maneuvers by which the authors intend to sow seeds of trouble and destabilize the country", the Algerian Ministry of Defense said in a press release published on Sunday.
"The deployment of the National People's Army outside the country is the decision of the Algerian people, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic".
The new Algerian constitution of November 2020 authorizes the army to deploy abroad. The G5 Sahel organized a summit in February 15 and 16 in N'Djamena, to which Morocco was invited. The Kingdom's presence, however, was not to Algeria's liking.
The Algerian Ministry of Defense's statement comes after President Tebboune and his French counterpart had a phone call. They both agreed to boost cooperation across various fields.