Morocco shares with Sahel Countries its experience in drones warfare, sparking Algerian rulers’ fears

Morocco has voiced its readiness to share with Sahel countries its successful experience in drone warfare as an effective military tool of counter-terrorism. The unmanned aerial systems and technology have enabled Moroccan army to thwart attacks of Polisario separatist militias supported by the Algerian regime.

The North African Kingdom has offered to help Sahel countries during an international conference held lately in Rabat on counter-terrorism & maritime security along Africa’s Atlantic coasts. The event was organized by Morocco’s Foreign ministry in collaboration with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).

Over 50 officials and experts in counter-terrorism from member countries of the Rabat Process initiative on African Atlantic States (PEAA), as well as officials from regional and international organizations took part in the conference which looked into ways of countering terror threat in the Atlantic African region.

Participants voiced serious concern that the Sahel region has become a global magnet for terrorism undermining peace and stability of Atlantic African countries. Several intelligence reports have warned against the shift of the terrorist threat from the Sahel to Atlantic coastal countries.

Experts say that terrorism, which has become highly elusive and adaptive, must be smitten down pervasively and aggressively. In order to do so, Sahel countries as well as Atlantic African countries must identify the threat and eliminate the threat.

The drone contributes to the counterterrorism mission by providing pervasive intelligence and aggressive strike capabilities. Both of these capabilities, combined and unified in a single aircraft platform, hinder the operational capacity of the terrorist organization by eliciting fear, fracturing communication, and decimating command and control.

The Rabat conference was an opportunity to discuss the huge possibilities offered by new technologies, notably unmanned aerial systems to address terrorist threats. However, experts warn that drones can also pose a huge challenge if they are acquired and used by terrorist organizations.

Morocco stands ready to support Sahel countries and Atlantic African countries in their efforts engaged to counter terrorism as the North African Kingdom has made major strides in the industry of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions.

The Moroccan initiative has made the Algerian junta extremely anxious as they realize that their influence is waning after years of hegemony and tyranny.