Algeria calls Morocco-US military exercise African Lion a «provocation»

Algeria claims that the military exercise co-organized by Morocco and the United States, African Lion, which will be held in Agadir, Tantan, Mahbas, Tata, Kenitra, Ben Guerir, and Tifnit in the coming weeks, is a «provocation» to Algiers.

Al-Shorouk, a newspaper known for its close ties to Algerian decision-makers, said the annual exercise challenges «the European Court of Justice, the United Nations, and the entire international community». The newspaper argues that Morocco's «inclusion of Western Sahara in the African Lion exercises suggests Rabat considers these territories part of its own, while the United Nations considers Western Sahara a non-autonomous region».

The newspaper added that this «provocation» extends not only to Morocco but also to «the United States of America and the European countries participating in these maneuvers, including France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and other African countries».

Al-Shorouk also claimed that said maneuvers «are expected to raise the pace of escalation between Algeria and Morocco».

The newspaper said the maneuvers have already started and included the territorial waters of Western Sahara, However, the military exercises are scheduled to take place from May 20 to 31, 2024.