The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the British Armed Forces have concluded the 26th edition of Exercise Jbel Sahara, a joint military drill held from October 12 to 31, at the Ram-Ram training area on the outskirts of Marrakech. The exercise was organized under the instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. This year's edition brought together Moroccan personnel and their counterparts from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, with Belgian military personnel attending as observers.
The closing ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General Abdelkrim Najjar, Inspector of Infantry of the Royal Armed Forces, alongside Alex Pinfield OBE, the British Ambassador to Morocco. The British and Belgian military attachés also attended the event. The Royal Gibraltar Regiment, a British Army light infantry unit based at Devil's Tower Camp in Gibraltar, has built a particularly close relationship with Morocco's 2nd Parachute Infantry Brigade, serving as a longstanding link between the two armies.
The exercise aims to strengthen bilateral military cooperation, exchange operational expertise, and develop interoperability and coordination among participating units. First held in 1989, the drill has covered various scenarios, including marksmanship and live-fire exercises, desert patrols, battlefield medical care, airborne and helicopter-supported operations, and joint command and coordination. Past editions have involved support from British Puma helicopters and simulated operations to seize an airstrip.
The partnership between Morocco and the UK extends beyond Exercise Jbel Sahara. During the Morocco-UK Strategic Dialogue held in Rabat on June 1, 2025, Foreign Ministers Nasser Bourita and David Lammy established an enhanced strategic partnership, committing the two countries to an annual Joint Military Commission. The partnership also explores cooperation in maritime defense, military industries, and defense-related investments.
The defense relationship between Morocco and the UK is built on a formal legal framework. The two sides concluded an Arrangement on the Status of Forces and Mutual Assistance in September 2013, and the United Kingdom designated Morocco under its Visiting Forces Act framework through legislation adopted in October 2016. This framework enables the UK to deploy troops and equipment in Morocco.
The British Army values the training environment in Morocco, which prepares troops to operate in demanding climatic and geographical conditions. Lieutenant Colonel Omar Abou-El-Khebra previously described the exercise as "a major opportunity" for sharing military knowledge and improving tactical preparation. The UK has planned over 40 defense activities with Morocco, including Jbel Sahara, spanning security, military training, and exchanges of operational expertise.
The 2026 edition of Exercise Jbel Sahara focused on operational expertise and interoperability, although specific scenarios were not detailed. The exercise demonstrates the commitment of Morocco and the UK to enhancing their defense cooperation and building on their long-standing partnership. The two countries continue to strengthen their military ties, with a focus on mutual benefit and cooperation.
Key points
- The exercise aims to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and exchange operational expertise between Morocco and the UK.
- The partnership between Morocco and the UK extends beyond Exercise Jbel Sahara, with an enhanced strategic partnership established in 2025.
- The defense relationship between Morocco and the UK is built on a formal legal framework, including an Arrangement on the Status of Forces and Mutual Assistance.
