Rising Tensions Between Algeria and Morocco Over Visas and Morocco's Relations with Israel

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune revealed that the decision to impose visas on Moroccans was due to "security cooperation" between Morocco and Israel, and the presence of Israeli "spy cells" that allegedly entered Algeria using Moroccan passports. Tebboune clarified that the decision aims to protect Algeria’s national security and does not include expelling Moroccans residing in Algeria. This comes amid ongoing tensions between the two countries since diplomatic relations were severed in 2021, with the crisis intensifying over the Western Sahara issue.This escalation coincides with the upcoming discussion and adoption of a resolution on Western Sahara at the United Nations by the end of October, supported by the United States, France, and Spain, which view Morocco’s autonomy initiative under its sovereignty as the most serious and realistic basis for resolving the conflict.