US unites Morocco and Algeria in joint naval exercise

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) is organizing a naval exercise called «Phoenix Express 24» in Tunisian waters from November 4 to 15. The Royal Moroccan Navy is participating alongside other African and European countries, including Algeria, according to Tunisian media reports.

The purpose of the exercise is to «strengthen cooperation and coordination between naval crews (...) in combating illegal activities at sea, such as smuggling and human trafficking, to preserve the security and stability of the Mediterranean», stated the Tunisian Ministry of Defense in a press release.

Long before the breakdown of Moroccan-Algerian diplomatic relations in August 2021, AFRICOM often brought together military units from the two Maghreb neighbors for joint exercises. This collaboration is exemplified by their participation in previous editions of the «Flintlock» maneuvers, organized by the United States in Africa since 2005.