Rabat – Saudi Arabia and Morocco renewed on Tuesday their determination to boost cooperation against shared security threats, including terrorism.
Abdellatif Hammouchi, the head of Morocco’s General Directorates of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), hosted in Rabat today Abdullah Fahad Salih Al-Owais, Vice President of Saudi State Security, who is leading a security delegation to Morocco as part of a working visit
During the meeting, Hammouchi and Salih Al-Owais signed an agreement to bolster Moroccan-Saudi cooperation in the fight against terrorism and terrorist funding.
The agreement covers the development of cooperation and security coordination in different areas related to the fight against terrorism and terrorist financing operations.
DGST DGST chief Abdellatif Hammouchi and Abdullah Fahad Salih Al-Owais, Vice President of Saudi State Security shaking hands
Several reports have in recent years emphasized the importance of Morocco as a regional leader in counterterrorism.
The North African country has thwarted over 500 terrorist plots since 2002.
By 2021, Morocco had notably dismantled 214 terrorist cells and brought 4,304 suspects to court. Around 88% of the dismantled cells were affiliated with ISIS.
A statement from DGST said that the Saudi delegation’s visit reflects the strong cooperation and brotherly relationship between the two countries at different levels, including in security and intelligence.
The visit also “illustrates the common will of the two parties to consolidate this bilateral cooperation serving the safety and security of their citizens,” added the statement.
Morocco has been intensifying cooperation with international partners at the level of security to tackle threats affecting the MENA region, particularly terrorism and other organized crimes.
In October 2022, Hammouchi also received Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei of Abu Dhabi to discuss cooperation against regional threats.
Qatar also requested Morocco’s security help and expertise to help provide security during the 2022 World Cup, which took place in the Gulf country in November-December of last year.
