Algerian authorities have arrested 61 Moroccan nationals on suspicion of planning acts of sabotage, in a case that could further strain relations between the two North African neighbours.
The arrests were announced on Sunday, October 11, 2026, by Algeria’s national security authorities, who said the suspects were allegedly linked to an international criminal network believed to pose a threat to national security and public order.
According to reports, the group included a former Moroccan army soldier. Authorities alleged that the suspects entered Algeria through neighbouring Tunisia before travelling along remote mountain trails and isolated forest routes near the border.
The suspects were subsequently arrested in the western Algerian city of Oran. However, officials have not publicly provided detailed information about the specific sabotage activities the group is alleged to have planned or the evidence supporting the suspicions.
The case has attracted attention because of the number of people arrested and the nationalities involved. The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the suspects should not be considered guilty unless their responsibility is established through the legal process.
Algerian authorities reportedly referred the suspects to judicial officials for further proceedings. Details concerning the precise charges, the alleged targets and the timeline of any planned activities were not fully disclosed in the available reports.
The arrests come against the backdrop of longstanding diplomatic tensions between Algeria and Morocco. The two countries have had strained relations for decades, with disagreements over regional security, political influence and the disputed territory of Western Sahara contributing to their rivalry.
Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021, accusing its neighbour of hostile actions. Morocco rejected the accusations. The land border between the countries has remained closed since 1994.
The Western Sahara dispute remains one of the central issues dividing the two governments. Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory and supports an autonomy proposal, while Algeria backs the Polisario Front, which seeks self-determination for the Sahrawi people.
The diplomatic rift has affected cooperation between the neighbours on regional security and other cross-border matters, despite their shared interests in addressing instability and criminal activity across North Africa.
It was not immediately clear whether the arrests would lead to additional diplomatic consequences or prompt a formal response from Moroccan authorities.
The case is expected to draw further attention as judicial authorities examine the allegations and determine what action should follow. Until more information is released, the claims regarding the alleged sabotage plans remain allegations rather than established facts.
Source: Thepressradio.com
