Morocco's Royal Armed Forces have recently undergone extensive changes in leadership positions, affecting various branches and specialties of the military, as well as the Royal Gendarmerie, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy. These changes, which came into effect on December 31, 2026, involve the appointment of new inspectors, commanders, and directors. According to informed sources, General Abdel Karim Najar has been appointed Inspector of Infantry.
The changes also include the appointment of Brigadier General Idriss Ndaha as Inspector of Armored Forces and Brigadier General Hamid Hliyla as Inspector of Artillery. Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Benissa Lahoussine has been appointed Inspector of Transport and Logistics. Other notable appointments include Brigadier General Hassan Mahawar as head of the Military Aviation Directorate and Lieutenant Colonel Atmoubarak Bourazza as head of the Administrative Center.
The Royal Air Force has seen several key appointments, including Brigadier General Hassan Fadl as Deputy Inspector General for Inspection and Monitoring. The Royal Navy has also undergone changes, with Admiral Mostafa Tarzi appointed as Second Inspector and Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Jaddal as Assistant Director of the Joint Logistics Directorate. Furthermore, Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Youssfi has been appointed as Assistant Officer in the General Directorate of Social Services.
In the Southern Region, several appointments have been made, including Lieutenant Colonel Nabil Dlimi as head of the Fifth Office of the General Staff and Brigadier General Mohamed Ben Bouchta Bounk'ab as commander of the Wadi Draa sector. Admiral Said Zbakhah has been appointed commander of the Southern Region's naval sector. Other appointments in the region include Lieutenant Colonel Aziz Oughriran as commander of the Sagrou operational sector.
The changes also affect various military garrisons, with new commanders appointed to garrisons in Oujda, Bouarfa-Fkihik, Errachidia, and others. Notably, Lieutenant Colonel Joumad Ben Marouf has been appointed commander of the Oujda garrison, while Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Aissa has taken command of the Bouarfa-Fkihik garrison.
In terms of infantry, several new commanders have been appointed, including Lieutenant Colonel Adel Belkifa as commander of the Second Parachute Infantry Regiment and Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Ssalhi as commander of the Third Mechanized Infantry Regiment. Other appointments include Lieutenant Colonel Mustapha Fai as second-in-command of the Fifth Mechanized Infantry Regiment.
The changes reflect a broader effort to reorganize and refresh the leadership of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces. With these new appointments, the military is expected to continue its efforts to maintain national security and stability.
Key points
- General Abdel Karim Najar appointed Inspector of Infantry
- Wide-ranging changes affect various branches of the military
- New commanders appointed to key positions in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy
