Moroccan Intelligence Services Detain Families of Dissident Soldiers Amidst Media Blackout

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | August 14th, 2024 — In a recent statement shared via Facebook by Colonel Saadi Embarek, leader of the Moroccan Free Army, it has been disclosed that Moroccan intelligence services are detaining the families of soldiers who have defected. This tactic is being used as a means to coerce the defectors back into submission, amidst a significant media blackout that has obscured these developments from the public eye.

Colonel Embarek’s statement sheds light on the Moroccan intelligence’s strategy to exert pressure on dissident soldiers by targeting their families. This includes the detention and imprisonment of these family members, in an attempt at extortion.

Former Moroccan Soldier Exposes Severe Resource Shortages and Misconduct within Military, Raises Alarm on Internal Corruption

The situation has gained additional attention following a detailed account from a former Moroccan soldier now residing in Italy as a political refugee. This soldier’s revelations offer a critical examination of the Moroccan military’s conditions, highlighting severe deficiencies and abuses. His insights depict a troubling scenario within the Moroccan armed forces, underscoring issues with basic resource availability.

The former soldier reported critical shortages of essential supplies, including food and water. He described the precarious conditions, noting that water was transported from wells using tankers, which illustrates the extreme logistical challenges faced by the troops. These shortages suggest a broader problem of mismanagement and neglect within the military infrastructure.

In addition to logistical concerns, the former soldier expressed dissatisfaction with the Moroccan monarchy’s failure to adequately support its military personnel. He criticized the monarchy for neglecting the well-being of soldiers, stating, “The royal state never provided us with a single football to play with,” and highlighting the inadequacies in clothing and equipment provided to the troops. He further accused the monarchy of exploiting the military for its own gains, asserting, “We were exploited by the royal state just to fulfill its requirements.”

The former soldier also made serious accusations against Colonel Mustafa Al-Rafai, accusing him of distributing cannabis among soldiers. According to the soldier, the drug, sourced from Fez, was circulated within the military ranks, raising concerns about corruption and unethical practices.

Moreover, the former soldier’s assessment of the Polisario Front’s operational capabilities suggests a disparity in effectiveness between the two groups. He stressed that ten members of the Polisario Front could accomplish missions that Moroccan soldiers found challenging, stating, “Ten Polisario soldiers can defeat 100 Moroccan soldiers.”

 

 

 

 

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