Algeria's army chief accused neighbouring Morocco of conspiring against his country and vowed a "rigorous, firm" response, in a speech he delivered Tuesday at an army base near their border.

"This expansionist regime has gone too far in its conspiracies and subversive propaganda campaigns, which aim to reduce Algeria's regional role, exhaust its capacities, prevent its development and undermine the unity of its people," Said Chanegriha said, in a speech published on the defence ministry's website.

Relations have soured between the two North African nations in recent months and Algeria on August 24 cut diplomatic ties with Rabat, accusing it of "hostile actions".

Last week it also banned all Moroccan aircraft from entering its airspace.

Chanegriha said Algeria's "enemies" had recruited "traitors" as spies in order to "weaken Algeria from the inside and pressure it to renounce its principles".

Algeria accuses Morocco and Israel of backing the separatist MAK movement, which seeks independence for the restive Kabylie region, and the Islamist Rachad movement, both listed as terrorist organisations by Algiers.

Morocco normalised ties with Israel last year in a US-backed deal that also saw Washington recognise Rabat's sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara.

Morocco sees the former Spanish colony as part of its sovereign territory, but the Polisario movement has continued to demand an independence referendum there as per a 1991 ceasefire deal.

Algeria has for decades hosted Polisario leaders and the issue has caused repeated diplomatic crises between the two countries.

Morocco's normalisation with Israel sparked anger in Algiers, which has supported the Palestinian cause and accused Rabat of using Israeli spyware against its officials.

Algeria's army chief said Tuesday his country was "ready to face, with rigour and firmness, all sinister plans" against Algeria.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

What's behind Africa's increasing drive to launch satellites
Moscow (Sputnik) Sep 24, 2021
Twenty-two years after putting the first African satellite into orbit, the continent's satellite fleet currently stands at 44. With Africa's most recent satellite launch taking place in June 2021, the next few years may see more launches on the continent. The consultancy Space in Africa recently reported that 44 satellites have been sent into orbit by 13 African countries since the launch of the continent's first satellite in 1999. At the time, South Africa had launched its SunSat-1 satellite into ... read more