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

Algerian-Moroccan relations through the media prism and Moroccan-led mediation attempts

On August 24, 2021, Algeria took the historic step of officially severing diplomatic relations with Morocco. This move, seen as a direct response to Morocco's hostile actions, highlights a series of political, historical and geopolitical tensions that have plagued relations between the two neighbors for decades. This summary explores the major reasons for this rupture, integrating media dynamics, unsuccessful attempts at mediation, and historical grievances accumulated against Morocco. Relations between Algeria and Morocco have historically been marked by geopolitical tensions, notably due to the Western Sahara conflict and deep-seated political rivalries. This climate of mistrust is exacerbated by media coverage on both sides, with Moroccan media playing a key role in maintaining an obsession with Algeria, while Moroccan attempts to seek international mediation to ease these tensions remain unsuccessful. 1. Historical and political background The rivalry between Algeria and Morocc...
Post a Comment
Read more

Operational Analysis of a Hypothetical Military Conflict between Algeria and Morocco

This article analyzes the potential for a military conflict between Algeria and Morocco in an operational and objective manner, without foreign intervention. It focuses on military capabilities, potential conflict scenarios, and strategic implications for both nations. The methodology is based on a comparative assessment of the armed forces of the two countries, geopolitical considerations, and hypothetical scenarios based on historical precedents and current military doctrines.
2 comments
Read more