On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Algerian authorities announced the arrest of 61 Moroccan nationals suspected of preparing acts of sabotage in Algeria. According to the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the suspects entered the country through Tunisia before heading to the city of Oran. This development raises questions about the conditions of their travel and the allegations against them.
The arrests took place in early October in Oran as part of the alleged dismantling of an organized criminal network. The suspects reportedly arrived in Tunis by air, then proceeded to the El Kala region in the El Tarf province, near the Tunisian border. They allegedly used mountain trails and isolated forest passages to enter Algerian territory before traveling to Oran.
Among those arrested is a former member of the Moroccan military. Algerian authorities also seized Moroccan passports and sums of money in Moroccan dirhams and euros. The official Algerian account claims the arrested individuals prepared actions that could harm public security and order. However, the details of the alleged acts, potential targets, and material evidence supporting these accusations have not been specified.
The suspects were presented before the prosecutor of the Republic near the specialized penal pole in Oran, according to Algerian authorities. At this stage, the announced accusations do not constitute proof of guilt. This case emerges amid particularly strained relations between Algiers and Rabat, with the two countries having severed diplomatic relations in 2021 and their common land border remaining closed since 1994.
The information available confirms the arrest of 61 Moroccan nationals, but there is no specific confirmation of the arrest of Moroccan women or evidence establishing their possible affiliation with an intelligence service. The involvement of a former Moroccan military personnel adds a layer of complexity to the case.
The alleged route used by the suspects, passing through Tunisia, highlights the potential for cross-border movement and coordination. This development may prompt reviews of border security and cooperation between Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The case raises concerns about the nature of the planned sabotage acts and their potential impact on regional security. As the investigation unfolds, further details may emerge regarding the suspects' intentions, their support networks, and the extent of their activities.
Key points
- Algerian authorities claim the arrested Moroccan nationals prepared acts that could harm public security and order.
- The suspects allegedly entered Algeria through Tunisia, using mountain trails and isolated forest passages.
- The arrests occur amid strained relations between Algeria and Morocco, with their diplomatic relations severed in 2021.
