Morocco has reinforced security in recent weeks on its coastal area adjacent to the Tarajal beach, through which thousands of migrants had invaded the enclave of Sebta on May 17 and 18. The Royal Gendarmerie has reinforced its side of the jetty by installing new barbed wire.
A new redeployment is taking place within the Royal Gendarmerie based on seniority and merit. Some elements have been brought closer to the workplaces of their spouses, while others have been assigned to military hospitals to continue their medical treatment.
The Spanish and Moroccan armed forces are participating, from June 28 to July 10, in the military exercise Sea Breeze, organized by the United States and Ukraine with the support of NATO in the Black Sea region. Maneuvers that will bring the two countries closer together, which have been going through a serious diplomatic crisis since April.
Morocco has reaffirmed its commitment to participate in all initiatives aimed at countering terrorist impulses, particularly the radical discourse of Daesh . The kingdom is ready, it says, "to contribute to this endeavor with its unique experience".
The Canary Islands Air Force considers the tension between Spain and Morocco as "political" and "does not see it as a threat", said Fernando Torres San José, the Chief of Staff of the Canary Islands Air Command (MACAN).
Following an invitation from the United States, the Royal Moroccan Navy will participate, for the first time ever, in Sea Breeze, one of the largest maritime military exercises. This military exercise will take place from June 28 to July 10 in the Black Sea.
Morocco could intervene in Libya in the military field. The Libyan army has just requested the support of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) to meet the security challenges in the country.
Spain sold defense equipment (grenades, explosives, detonators, etc.) to Morocco for a total value of 12.5 million euros in 2020, according to a report by the Secretary of State for Trade.
The military cooperation between Morocco and the United States is "limitless" and full of enormous opportunities for the future. This is what Major General Andrew M. Rohling, Deputy Commanding General for Africa and Commanding General of the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force, said during a telephone press conference on the Moroccan-American military exercise "African Lion 2021".
The President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez , rejected a proposal from the army to strengthen border control teams in Ceuta and Melilla, in response to the migration crisis that occurred in May. The Moncloa considered that this plan does not help to "defuse" the situation.
Morocco has increased its military spending by more than 30% in 2020. An investment deemed disproportionate compared to the kingdom’s GDP, according to some experts.
Spanish political scientist Pedro Altamirano states that Morocco has become a reliable value for defense, "a faithful partner of the United States more reliable than Spain".