From medieval times until 1962, regions like Tindouf, Béchar, and Tlemcen were under Moroccan dynastic or spiritual authority, not part of an independent Algerian state. Moroccan empires—the Almoravids, Almohads, and Mérinids—extended eastward deep into present-day Algeria. French colonialism later formalized Algeria’s borders, erasing earlier Maghrebi unity. Post-independence, Morocco invoked these historical ties during the 1963 Sand War, but renounced claims in 1969. Today, disputes over Western Sahara reflect deeper tensions over borders rooted in colonial, not indigenous, history.
Category: Moroccan sahara
Algeria’s deep hostility toward Morocco stems from internal political stagnation and rivalry over Western Sahara. With global powers siding with Morocco’s autonomy plan, Algeria’s rigid stance threatens its regional legitimacy.