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Malian “Success” with a Taste of Betrayal: How the Release of Moroccan Drivers Became Direct Support for Terrorism in the Sahel

On August 1, 2025, Mali’s transitional military council announced with great fanfare the release of four Moroccan truck drivers who had been held by the so‑called Islamic State in the “three borders” region. At first glance, this might seem like an impressive security achievement. Yet behind the glittering façade lies a far more dangerous reality: a shady political‑security deal that has breathed new life into a terrorist organization, while exposing Morocco as a double‑faced actor — publicly claiming to fight terrorism while fueling it through illicit channels, foremost among them the drug trade.


A Deal at the Expense of Regional Security

Multiple consistent sources confirm that this was no heroic rescue, as Bamako portrayed it, but rather a full‑blown deal: the release of high‑ranking ISIS field commanders — such as Dadi Ould Cheib, known as “Abu Darda,” and Ammiya Ould el‑Bakkay — in exchange for handing over the Moroccan hostages, along with a substantial ransom payment.

These two men are not ordinary fighters; they are experienced operational masterminds with extensive networks and field expertise. Releasing them is nothing short of re‑energizing the machinery of terrorism in the Sahel — now additionally boosted with the fresh funds from the ransom.

Moroccan Drugs: The Lifeline of Terrorism

The danger lies not only in the deal itself, but in the economic structure that sustains terrorism in the Sahel. For years, industrial‑scale cannabis cultivation in Morocco’s Rif region has been the number one funding source for criminal and terrorist networks in West Africa.

The financing chain is well known to intelligence agencies:
  • Production – Morocco remains the world’s leading producer of cannabis resin.
  • Smuggling – Criminal networks, some linked to powerful figures in Rabat, transport the drugs through Mauritania and Mali via secure desert routes, thanks to local alliances.
  • Conversion to Weapons – The profits are invested directly in arms purchases and in sustaining terrorist operations in areas beyond state control.
In this way, Moroccan drugs have become the lifeblood of terrorism in the Sahel — much like the ransom from this latest deal will serve as new fuel for extremist groups.

Morocco’s Double Game

Officially, Morocco presents itself as a key partner in the “war on terror,” engaging in intelligence sharing and joint operations. In reality, a blatant contradiction emerges: Morocco channels resources and logistical support — via its illicit networks — to the very groups it claims to be fighting, only to later appear in the role of “rescuer” through hostage deals. This earns Rabat diplomatic credit, while obscuring its role in destabilizing Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

The Moroccan drivers’ release fits neatly into this pattern: a public‑relations coup masking the fact that Moroccan drugs are a structural driver of insecurity in the region.

Malian Soldiers: Hostages to Neglect

While the Moroccan civilians received media attention and an official welcome, dozens of Malian soldiers remain in the hands of terrorist groups, with no serious effort made to free them — not even public acknowledgment of their plight.

The death of Master Sergeant Ibrahim Sidibé, known as “Ibrahim Touré,” on July 24 was a painful reminder of this neglect. He fought in critical battles against terrorism, yet his passing was met with official silence: no national mourning, no lowered flags — as if sacrifice for the nation had lost all value.

A Strategic Gamble

Through this deal, Bamako risks:
  • Reactivating terrorist cells by freeing their commanders.
  • Funding them with a significant ransom.
  • Cementing “hostage‑taking” as a guaranteed revenue stream.
  • Weakening the army’s morale and public trust in state institutions.

Conclusion: A Dangerous Game

This incident reflects a bitter truth: in the absence of a strong regional strategy, some Sahel regimes have become unwilling players in a double game — at times victims of terrorism, at times its indirect partners — with Morocco pulling strings through a mix of “security diplomacy” and the drug economy.

As long as Moroccan drugs continue to finance terrorism, and secret deals take precedence over serious security solutions, every “victory” in official statements will remain nothing more than a media illusion, hiding a much darker reality.

By Belgacem Merbah


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