Algerian Media Exploits “Fnideq Events” to Defame Morocco with False Claims

Algerian media consistently seizes opportunities to tarnish Morocco’s image, frequently spreading misleading news and false rumors. A recent example occurred during the “Fnideq events.”

The Algerian media manipulated the situation, even using images from Gaza and presenting them as scenes from Morocco. Abdel Fattah El-Fetihi, a researcher specializing in Saharan and Maghrebian issues, pointed out that the Algerian media, guided by the dark propaganda of its military intelligence, often exploits isolated incidents in Morocco to divert attention from its internal political issues. This tactic is used to mask the strained relations between the two nations.

In a statement to Hespress, El-Fetihi explained that the Algerian media’s frenzy surrounding these isolated Moroccan incidents serves to distract the public from pressing domestic issues, such as economic struggles and the controversial presidential elections. According to him, the Algerian military regime is concerned that Morocco’s impressive development projects and diplomatic progress, especially regarding the Sahara conflict, could highlight the stagnation in Algeria.

He further emphasized that while irregular migration is a natural challenge for Morocco, being a transit country for many Africans and Algerians attempting to reach Europe, the Algerian regime’s focus on the isolated Fnideq events does little to address the pressing needs of its own people or the demands of the Algerian protest movement.

El-Fetihi noted that Algeria’s black propaganda remains largely ineffective, as it is primarily aimed at internal consumption. The regime attempts to scapegoat Morocco for its political, economic, and social failures.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Nour Eddine, an expert on Moroccan-Algerian relations and a member of the Moroccan Council for Foreign Affairs, described Algeria’s media tactics as part of a broader campaign of disinformation. According to him, Algeria’s smear campaign aims to damage Morocco’s international reputation and create internal unrest, while supporting the separatist movement in the Sahara, which has been losing ground.

Nour Eddine highlighted several instances where Algeria has distorted facts. For example, in 2010, the Algerian media circulated false images of Moroccan children killed in Casablanca, presenting them as victims of violence in Laayoune. This misleading narrative was even picked up by a well-known Spanish channel, Antena 3, which mistakenly aired the images, portraying them as part of the conflict in the Sahara.

In another instance, Algerian channels broadcasted images of Palestinian children, falsely claiming they were victims in Laayoune. The same disinformation tactics were used during the events of Gdeim Izik, where the Algerian media portrayed Moroccan security forces as aggressors, only for the truth to emerge during a trial attended by European observers.

The campaign against Morocco has continued, with Algerian state television attributing war footage from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Azerbaijan to the Sahara. In 2021, they falsely accused Morocco of igniting wildfires in Tizi Ouzou and spreading rumors that Moroccan spies had been arrested in Algeria. In reality, these individuals were Moroccan artisans working on decorative projects for high-ranking Algerian officials.

Another instance involved the Algerian News Agency distributing images of overturned cars in the desert, claiming they were targeted by the Polisario militias during the 2018 Africa Eco Race. The aim was to pressure the organizers into canceling the event’s route through Morocco’s southern provinces, bringing the separatist agenda back into the spotlight.

Nour Eddine concluded by stating that Algeria’s ongoing campaign of falsehoods and rumors is part of a strategic effort, spearheaded by General Chengriha, with a budget of one billion dollars. This plan includes the creation of an international Algerian news channel, dedicated to spreading fake news about Morocco, along with numerous websites and social media groups.

He urged Moroccan authorities to take decisive action to expose these malicious campaigns at the international level, through organizations such as the International Federation of Journalists and global broadcasting associations.