Algeria's state TV spreads false drug tunnel claims against Morocco

Saturday 17 May 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Algeria's state TV spreads false drug tunnel claims against Morocco

Algeria’s state television has once again fabricated a sensational narrative, this time alleging drug trafficking through a secret tunnel purportedly connecting Morocco to the Bab El Assa border in Tlemcen province. This dramatic report, reminiscent of a cinematic thriller, claims that these drugs are intended to "destabilize" the region.

The allegations were broadcast live, but the footage utilized by the Algerian channel was previously published by Spanish security forces. It depicts a tunnel discovered in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, raising questions about the credibility of Algeria's accusations.

The video aired by Algeria’s state television is identical to a report circulated in various international media outlets. This revelation underscores a troubling pattern of baseless allegations from Algeria, which has long resorted to unfounded claims to malign Morocco, often accusing it of attempts to undermine its sovereignty or destabilize the nation.

The fallout from this recent report has led some Algerian media outlets to retract the video, likely in response to public ridicule. This incident is not isolated; it reflects a broader trend where Algeria’s regime has consistently employed dubious narratives whenever faced with crises or disasters.

Historically, the Algerian government has accused Morocco of “flooding” the country with drugs. Notably, in 2018, FLN official Djamel Ould Abbes claimed that Morocco was inundating Algeria with narcotics. Such statements have been echoed by former officials, including ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelkader Messahel, who alleged that Moroccan banks and airlines were complicit in drug trafficking.

In the face of these allegations, Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the claims as “childish and irresponsible.” Moroccan officials assert that such unfounded accusations will not detract from the credibility of Morocco's international cooperation efforts, which are recognized and appreciated across the continent.

Algeria’s regime has frequently resorted to conspiracy theories related to Morocco. After severing diplomatic ties in 2021, Algeria accused Morocco of causing devastating wildfires in the Kabyle region. More recently, it bizarrely suggested that Morocco was behind widespread blackouts affecting several European nations.

Algerian analyst Oualid Kebir commented on the situation, suggesting that these latest claims are merely another instance of the regime's ethically questionable propaganda. He remarked that the Algerian media appears to rely on its audience's lack of historical memory or awareness, implying that such scandals should lead to accountability in countries that uphold journalistic integrity.

In Algeria, however, the editors responsible for the report may receive rewards rather than repercussions, as the regime continues to use the specter of an "external enemy" to distract from its internal challenges.