Skip to main content

The 1963 Sand War: The Story of a Moroccan Betrayal

On February 26, 1961, King Hassan II ascended to the Moroccan throne amid a politically and economically turbulent climate. On May 17, 1963, Moroccan legislative elections were held, in which the opposition won 56.5% of the votes, exacerbating internal tensions. Paul Balta, a former correspondent for "Le Monde" in Algeria, noted that this situation prompted King Hassan II to provoke disputes with neighboring countries to bolster his regime and suppress internal opposition.

Beginning of the Conflict

  • October 8, 1963: Clashes began between Algerian and Moroccan forces when Moroccan troops attacked Algerian positions in Tinjoub and Hassi Beida. Algeria responded by recapturing these positions and launching counterattacks.
  • October 9, 1963: Morocco announced that the Tinjoub, Hassi Beida, and Tinfouchy outposts had been seized by Algerian forces in a surprise attack. Algeria, however, asserted that Moroccan forces had been advancing in the desert since September to establish outposts.
  • October 14, 1963: Moroccan forces once again occupied Hassi Beida and Tinjoub, pushing Algerian forces towards the Bechar – Tindouf road.

Escalation of the Conflict

  • October 15, 1963: Algeria declared a general mobilization of the National Liberation Army veterans.
  • October 16, 1963: President Ahmed Ben Bella and his deputies appeared at the frontlines, calling on all veterans to join the army to fight against the "imperialist aggression" by Morocco.
  • October 25, 1963: The largest battle of the conflict occurred, with approximately 250 Algerian soldiers captured near Hassi Beida.
  • Late October 1963: Algeria achieved a favorable diplomatic position with substantial support from African organizations, bolstering its stance in the conflict.

Mediations and Agreements

  • November 5, 1963: Hostilities ceased through the mediation of the Arab League and the Organization of African Unity.
  • February 20, 1964: A ceasefire agreement was signed in Bamako, Mali, under the mediation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie. The agreement included a cessation of hostilities, the establishment of a demilitarized zone, the appointment of observers from both countries, and the formation of an arbitration committee to determine responsibility for the initiation of hostilities and to study the border issue between the two countries.

Impact and Consequences

Following the conflict, relations between Algeria and Morocco remained strained, with ongoing suspicion and animosity ingrained in the collective memory of both nations. In Algeria, this war is seen as a betrayal by the Moroccan regime and a breach of good neighborly principles.

Secret International Support

In October 1963, Morocco received covert support from Israel, which sent fighter jets and French-made tanks through mediation by the Shah of Iran to confront Algerian forces, as documented by Professor Walid Abdul Hay and Israeli researcher Einat Levi.

References

  1. Paul Balta, former correspondent for "Le Monde."
  2. Professor Walid Abdul Hay on Israeli support.
  3. Einat Levi, "Israel and Morocco," 2018.
  4. 1963 Moroccan legislative elections.
  5. Mediation by the Arab League and the Organization of African Unity.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Fall of the Rafale: A Russian Report Unveils Pakistan’s Silent Aerial Supremacy

A recently released Russian report sheds critical light on the underlying causes of the Indian Air Force’s setback in a high-stakes aerial encounter with Pakistan. At the heart of this analysis lies a stark conclusion: Pakistan’s integration of advanced airborne surveillance and missile systems—particularly the Saab 2000 Erieye—enabled it to outmaneuver and ambush Indian Rafale jets without warning, and with surgical precision. Saab 2000 Erieye: The Eye That Sees All At the core of Pakistan’s aerial strategy is the Saab 2000 Erieye, an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft of Swedish origin. Pakistan currently operates a fleet of nine such aircraft, equipped with the Erieye AESA radar—a cutting-edge system with a detection range of up to 450 kilometers, a combat radius of 3,700 kilometers, and an endurance of nearly 9.5 hours. This high-altitude sentinel offers a formidable command-and-control platform, allowing Pakistan to orchestrate engagements from a distance, wit...
3 comments
Read more

Origin of the Caftan: Algeria Responds in the Language of Heritage

Avoiding direct polemics or loud declarations, Algeria has opted for heritage diplomacy and UNESCO procedure to respond—indirectly—to Moroccan claims over the origin of the caftan. At the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (New Delhi, 8–13 December), Algiers emphasized confirmations and updates to elements inscribed since 2012, reinforcing its reading: the caftan is an authentic element of Algerian cultural identity, recognized within UNESCO’s framework. A Procedural Argument Elevated to Cultural Diplomacy In a statement published on 11 December via official channels, the Ministry of Culture and the Arts hailed “a new victory” for Algerian cultural diplomacy . Without departing from institutional sobriety, its communication stressed two core points: Inscription precedents : According to Algiers, the caftan appears in national files recorded since 2012, notably within the recognition of Tlemcen’s traditional herit...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Defection of Mehdi Hajaoui: A Major Blow to Moroccan Intelligence and Its Global Repercussions

The case of Mehdi Hajaoui , former number two in Morocco's Directorate General for Studies and Documentation ( DGED , the country’s foreign intelligence agency), is shaking the security and diplomatic landscape. According to the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial , Hajaoui fled Morocco to France , where he reportedly faced threats and harassment . He later moved to Spain , only to disappear mysteriously , fearing extradition to Morocco or assassination by Moroccan intelligence operatives. His escape has raised serious concerns about the future of Moroccan intelligence operations and diplomatic relations. Who is Mehdi Hajaoui? Mehdi Hajaoui was a high-ranking intelligence official , serving as the Deputy Director of the DGED under Yassine Mansouri , a close associate of King Mohammed VI. His position gave him access to highly sensitive intelligence , including: Covert Moroccan operations abroad , Secret relations between Rabat and its international allies , particularly Israel, The...
Post a Comment
Read more