Abu Dhabi’s Ongoing Antagonism Towards Algeria Raises Concerns About Bilateral Relations
ALGIERS– It appears that the leadership in Abu Dhabi is persistently provoking Algeria, undermining its security and strategic interests. Through their repeated and dangerous actions, they seem determined to strain bilateral relations to the point of rupture. The harm inflicted on Algeria’s national interests, both domestically and internationally, is no longer concealed but has become overt.
The antagonistic behavior of the Abu Dhabi leadership toward Algeria, encompassing both the government and its people, suggests that the relationship between these two brotherly nations is headed into uncharted territory. Algeria’s commitment to restraint, which it has maintained for some time, may not endure much longer.
Numerous questions arise regarding the motives behind the UAE’s actions against Algeria. There are concerns about how the Algerian government and people will officially address the hazardous steps taken by Emirati officials, regardless of their roles and positions. Given the frequent revelations exposing the disgraceful conduct of Emiratis on various levels, expectations suggest that the relevant authorities may feel compelled to respond if the situation does not change.
It is now more evident than ever, particularly within official and national media circles, that Emirati officials have direct involvement in significant issues that target Algeria’s vital interests. These include internal and border espionage and exerting pressure on brotherly and friendly nations to disrupt their relations with Algeria. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi has actively sought to exploit crises in neighboring and African countries to coerce them into normalizing relations with the Zionist state, in stark contrast to Algeria’s principles and efforts against Israeli influence on the continent.
Based on the information circulating in the media, it appears that dissatisfaction with the actions of the Emirati leadership has reached its peak. Recently, Abu Dhabi has engaged in a provocative campaign against Algeria by openly aligning itself with the Makhzen regime and providing it with substantial support to harm Algeria’s interests. This alignment has been confirmed through a series of events and actions.
Reports from local media regarding “suspicious movements” by the defense attaché at the UAE Embassy in Algeria were not mere speculation but have been substantiated by the words and actions of Emirati officials. Their support for the Makhzen regime was manifested in the “gift” of warplanes provided to their partners in normalization in Rabat, along with the deployment of spy equipment by Morocco along its border with Algeria. This equipment was specifically aimed at monitoring internal communications of Algerians across the border strip. Additionally, there is evidence of Emirati support for Morocco’s expansionist agenda, including its occupation of Western Sahara across various domains.
The string of conspiracies against Algerian national security did not come to a halt there. In April, Citizen Lab, associated with the University of Toronto in Canada and specializing in electronic security, exposed a fresh Israeli espionage initiative developed by the company “Quadream” and operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This program was aimed at hacking the phones of officials and journalists in ten different countries, and notably, it was employed against the Royal Palace in Morocco.
The UAE took its military support for the Makhzen regime to the next level, openly confirming the provision of 68 advanced Mirage 9000 Dash 9 military aircraft, complete with spare parts and ammunition, as a gratuitous contribution to Morocco’s military capabilities. This deal was extensively covered by Moroccan media several months ago, and recent reports confirm the arrival of these advanced fighters in the country.
In recent weeks, the UAE has welcomed Moroccan officers and technicians for training on operating and maintaining these versatile combat aircraft, equipped for both air-to-air and air-to-sea engagements. These aircraft, acquired by the UAE from France, possess the capacity to carry air-to-surface and cruise missiles, complemented by a sophisticated radar system and a mobile target acquisition system, significantly enhancing the military capabilities of the Moroccan Air Force.
Simultaneously, there has been increased scrutiny of the UAE military attaché in Algeria, a colonel, whose public statement to several European counterparts emphasized that the UAE would support Morocco with all its resources in the event of a war between Algeria and Morocco.
Approximately a year ago, during a session of the UN Security Council, the UAE notably opposed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ proposal to appoint former Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum as a UN envoy to Libya, a stance that set the UAE apart from other nations. Additionally, the head of the El Bina El Watani Party, Abdelkader Bengrina, has raised concerns about the UAE’ suspicious role in the region, its attempts to influence the strategic interests of Algeria, particularly in the African Sahel region, and its involvement in events such as the coup in Niger.
Bengrina has previously characterized a certain Gulf state as consistently fueling regional divisions, a reference that is commonly understood to be directed at the United Arab Emirates. He has accused UAE officials of exacerbating Arab disputes and pursuing projects that contradict Algeria’s principles and policies in the region.
In recent days, the UAE has persistently attempted to steer Tunisia towards a path that is antagonistic to Algeria, pressuring it to normalize relations with the Zionist entity. This was evident through the visits of a UAE official who worked diligently to secure Tunisian consent for normalization, before President Kais Saied officially rejected this option, denouncing it as treason and reaffirming his stance against it.
