On October 5, 2026, Moroccan Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, Mohamed Berrid, welcomed United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Issa Seif bin Laqrabani Al Mazroui, to Rabat. The meeting was held at the Royal Armed Forces headquarters, following instructions from King Mohammed VI, the Supreme Commander and General Staff Chief of the Royal Armed Forces. The UAE delegation arrived for a formal visit to Morocco.
The visit aimed to facilitate Lieutenant General Al Mazroui's participation in the third Morocco-UAE Mixed Military Committee meeting, held on October 5-6, 2026. Additionally, he attended the Marrakech International Air and Space Show 2026, which took place from October 7 to 10, 2026. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the current level of military cooperation between Morocco and the UAE.
During their meeting, Berrid and Al Mazroui acknowledged the progress made in military cooperation, particularly in areas such as capability development, defense industry, training, and experience sharing. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening and developing this cooperation. The officials also co-chaired the closing session of the third Morocco-UAE Mixed Military Committee meeting.
The meeting resulted in a highly positive outcome, covering a wide range of strategic activities. As a gesture of appreciation for his efforts in enhancing military cooperation between Morocco and the UAE, King Mohammed VI bestowed the Military Merit Order of the First Class upon Lieutenant General Al Mazroui. This honor recognized the significant contributions made by the UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff.
The military cooperation between the Royal Armed Forces and the UAE Armed Forces is built on a shared vision and long-standing dynamics. The partnership began with the signing of the first military agreement in 1980 and was further strengthened by a framework agreement in May 2006. This cooperation has continued to evolve over the years.
The meeting between Berrid and Al Mazroui reflects the ongoing efforts of both countries to enhance their military ties. By engaging in regular discussions and collaborative activities, Morocco and the UAE aim to promote mutual understanding and strengthen their defense capabilities. This cooperation also contributes to regional stability and security.
As Morocco and the UAE continue to deepen their military cooperation, they are likely to explore new areas of collaboration. The two countries may also engage in joint military exercises and training programs, further solidifying their partnership. This strengthened cooperation will likely have a positive impact on regional security and stability.
Key points
- Morocco and UAE enhance military cooperation through joint committee meeting
- The two countries strengthen ties in areas such as capability development and defense industry
- The cooperation is built on a shared vision and long-standing dynamics dating back to 1980
