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Spain concerned about Israel-Morocco rapprochement

December 4, 2021 at 11:17 am

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz (R) and Moroccan Defence Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi (L) in Morocco on 24 November, 2021 [@gantzbe/Twitter]

A Spanish intelligence document has warned of the dangers of the recent rapprochement between Morocco and Israel, which could turn Morocco into a great regional power, Sama News Agency reported on Friday.

Spanish intelligence has issued a paper entitled “Red cloud over the sky of Madrid,” Sama reported, warning of the impact of the recent rapprochement between Morocco and Israel. The Spanish paper pointed out that this rapprochement could change the balance of power in the Maghreb.

Spain is primarily concerned about turning Morocco into a regional power on the coast of the Mediterranean, thanks to the defence deal with Israel that will enable Rabat to obtain high-tech military equipment.

According to Sama, AFP reported that Spain is also worried about the deal between Israel and Morocco because it stipulates the establishment of a military base in the north of the African country, near the Moroccan cities of Sebtah and Melilah, which Spain refers to as Ceuta and Melilla.

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However, Spanish Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón stated that he does not think Morocco poses a danger to the occupied cities of Sebtah and Melilah.

Professor Hussni Al-Obeidi indicated that establishing a military equipment factory near the cities of Sebtah and Melilah could ignite an arms race in the region.

He said that the document, which was prepared by Spanish intelligence, should have remained secret. However, it was leaked by Spain to mobilise the Spanish people and the international community in support of its concerns.

Calderón said that Morocco is currently competing with Algeria over the “most dangerous issue” – the Polisario Front.

Therefore, Morocco’s recent accumulation of weapons does not pose “any clear danger” to Spain or Sebtah and Melilah.