Militarization of Morocco and Its Implications
The military rearmament of Morocco, closely tied to Israeli support, is making a tangible impact on the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara. The modernization efforts of the Moroccan forces not only enhance their operational capabilities in regions to the east of the Saharan Wall—dividing Moroccan-controlled territory from areas held by the Polisario Front—but also expand their surveillance capacity over an area that constitutes approximately 20% of Sahrawi territory, which is not directly controlled by Rabat. Defense expert Guillermo Pulido, author of 'Multidomain Warfare and Mosaic: The New American Military Thinking', highlights that Morocco possesses sufficient drone capabilities to monitor and engage in operations over extended periods. He emphasizes the technological sophistication and significance of Morocco's military modernization.
Recent events have underscored Rabat's military capabilities; notably, the kingdom employed Israeli weapons during attacks on the Polisario Front on June 7. This incident exemplifies the growing military cooperation between Morocco and Tel Aviv. The integration of advanced warfare technologies from both Turkey and Israel has enabled Morocco to solidify its aerial dominance over Western Sahara.
Strategic Interests and Regional Dynamics
Morocco has acquired drones that neither Algeria—the main military supporter of the Polisario Front—nor the Polisario itself currently possess. However, Pulido cautions that as these actors begin to obtain short, medium, and long-range attack capabilities, which are relatively easy to acquire, the Sahrawi conflict may be reignited. This potential scenario, he notes, is characterized by a prolonged standoff where neither side achieves a definitive victory or the complete defeat of the adversary. Such a conflict could be economically feasible with simpler logistics compared to conventional warfare. The implications are clear: military technology allows for the maintenance of conflicts with regular armies at a low cost.
The increase in Morocco's defense spending sends a strong message to the regional geopolitical landscape, particularly to Algeria. International Relations expert Frédéric Mertens from the European University explains that Morocco's strengthened position in this geographical area also serves as a counter to Algeria, which allocates a significant portion of its government budget to defense.
Underlying Morocco's rearmament and Israeli support are strategic interests for both nations. Israel has successfully bolstered its ties with an Arab nation, marking a significant diplomatic milestone in the region. In return, Morocco has gained political backing for its stance on Western Sahara, along with access to military, intelligence, and defense industry technological cooperation.
Drones form a key component of the cooperative framework between the two countries. Recently, Morocco tested the Israeli SpyX drone in Western Sahara, coinciding with the establishment of factories on Moroccan soil aimed at producing such technology amidst strategic competition with Algeria and an increasing international imbalance. Moreover, the military relationship between Morocco and Israel extends beyond drones, as evidenced by a multi-million dollar contract signed with Israeli company Elbit Systems for combat systems and ammunition for the Moroccan Army.
According to Mertens, these dynamics represent a technological transformation that significantly affects the regional geopolitical balance. This shift occurs with the backing of the United States, which signed a ten-year military cooperation agreement with Rabat. However, despite the technological advancements and modernization of Morocco's arsenal, the protracted history of the Sahrawi conflict indicates that technology alone will not provide a definitive resolution.
As reported by laprovincia.es.
