Why Morocco and Algeria Are in Conflict
Morocco and Algeria are North Africa's two largest powers, and their rivalry has shaped the region for sixty years — over borders, the Sahara, ideology and influence across Africa.
The Sand War of 1963
Just after Algerian independence, the two countries fought a brief border war over the resource-rich Tindouf region. The wounds never fully healed.
The dispute hardened into a long rivalry that found its main battleground in the Sahara question.
The Sahara fault line
Algeria hosts, funds and arms the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory Morocco claims. For Rabat, this is the core of the conflict.
In 2021 Algeria cut diplomatic ties with Morocco entirely, and the land border has been sealed since 1994.
Frequently asked
Are Morocco and Algeria at war?
No, but relations are severed and the border is closed.
Why does Algeria back the Polisario?
Algiers frames it as support for self-determination; analysts also cite regional rivalry with Rabat.
See it on the map: explore the full territory of Morocco — coast to Sahara — on our interactive map of Morocco →