Paranoid Algeria takes aim at Morocco-France military drills

Algeria has summoned the French ambassador to Algiers to complain about an upcoming French-Moroccan military exercises east of the Kingdom, issuing a strong-worded statement that comes in a series of provocative moves against Paris amid a worsening bilateral crisis.

Algeria’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the French ambassador heard Algiers complaints regarding the exercise, which it described as “dangerous” and “provocative”.

The military exercise in question, Chergui 2025, is not the first of its kind. Previous editions were held within the Moroccan territory in the region of Errachidia as part of Morocco’s and France’s sovereign decision to enhance their military capabilities.

Morocco, with whom Algeria cut ties, has on multiple occasions reassured Algeria of its intention to restore normal relations to the best interests of the two peoples. But all calls fell on deaf Algerian ears.

Algeria singled out France and the Chergui drills in particular but could never criticize the African Lion drills which is ten times bigger and brings together US, African, European, and Israeli soldiers.

The summoning of the French ambassador takes place at a context Algeria doubles down on diplomatically manipulative and mischievous acts of a disillusioned Algerian regime that is punching above its weight by attempting to retaliate from France after it expressed outright support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.

Such Algerian provocative moves that worsened the crisis with France included the rejection of Algerian nationals violating French laws, the arrest of dual national Boualem Sansal, and uncorroborated accusations against Paris.

The worsening crisis has forced the French executive to issue a six-week ultimatum to Algeria to take its nationals in an illegal situation or face a commensurate French response.

French interior minister Bruo Retailleau has said that Paris should use the visa weapon, review the agreements offering Algerian nomenklatura visa-free entry, and edit the 1968 agreements offering Algerians preferential treatment in settling in France. He also urged a ban of Algerian airlines.

Meanwhile, the statement issued by Algeria’s foreign ministry is rather intended to feed the propaganda served to the Algerian disenchanted people to try to portray France and Morocco as aggressors in a manipulative act that fails to hide the reality of Algeria’s constant warmongering against its western and northern neighbors.