On October 6, 2026, Mohammed Berriq, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco and Commander of the Southern Zone, welcomed Issa Seif bin Ablan Al Mazroui, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates, to the headquarters of the Royal Armed Forces in Rabat. This meeting was held at the behest of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
The visit by Al Mazroui was part of his participation in the third meeting of the Moroccan-Emirati Mixed Military Committee, which took place on October 5-6, 2026. Additionally, he attended the Marrakech International Air and Space Show 2026, scheduled from October 7 to 10, 2026. During the meeting, both officials praised the level of military cooperation between Morocco and the UAE.
The cooperation between the two countries was highlighted in areas such as capability development, defense industry, training, and exchange of experiences and expertise. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuing and deepening this cooperation. The meeting also covered a range of strategic topics and reviewed progress in various military fields.
Following the meeting, Berriq and Al Mazroui co-chaired the closing session of the third meeting of the Moroccan-Emirati Mixed Military Committee. The session concluded with a highly positive outcome, encompassing a wide range of activities across several strategic areas. This outcome underscored the strong and growing partnership between the two nations.
As a gesture of appreciation for his efforts in strengthening military cooperation between Morocco and the UAE, Berriq presented Al Mazroui with the "Wissam of Military Merit of the First Class". This honor was bestowed by King Mohammed VI in recognition of Al Mazroui's contributions to enhancing bilateral military relations.
The visit and the meetings held during this period reflect the deep-rooted and strong relations between Morocco and the UAE, particularly in the military domain. Both countries continue to seek ways to enhance their cooperation and coordination in various military and defense areas.
The reinforcement of military ties between Morocco and the UAE is part of a broader strategy to ensure regional stability and security. The two nations have been actively engaging in joint military exercises and cooperation programs, aiming to address common security challenges and threats.
Key points
- Morocco and the UAE are strengthening their military cooperation in areas such as capability development and defense industry.
- The third meeting of the Moroccan-Emirati Mixed Military Committee concluded with a highly positive outcome.
- The UAE's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces was awarded the "Wissam of Military Merit of the First Class" by King Mohammed VI.
