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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.
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