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Morocco–Saudi Arabia relations

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Morocco–Saudi Arabia relations
Map indicating locations of Morocco and Saudi Arabia

Morocco
Saudi Arabia

Morocco–Saudi Arabia relations (Arabic: العلاقات السعودية المغربية) refers to the current and historical relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Morocco has an embassy in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Rabat.

Both the two Arab nations have long and traditional friendly relations based on many historical commons. Both Morocco and Saudi Arabia are monarchies ruled by the respective families of the 'Alawis and the Al-Sauds, adhere to Sunni Islam,[1] and their relationship is described as traditionally strong.[2] Both the countries are members of the Arab League. The two countries then experienced hiatus in relations for a year, before the February 2019 Warsaw Conference once again stabilized the relations. In the past, both Morocco and Saudi Arabia led a campaign which successfully made the Arabic language an official language of the United Nations.[3][4]

History

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Contact between the two sides goes back to a long time before the establishment of the first Saudi state, when the sultan of Morocco Ismail bin Sharif sent an important message to the Emir of Mecca Saad bin Zaid.[5] When the reform movement of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab appeared, a message arrived from the Hijaz to Fez to convey the call of Sheikh Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, and that was during the reign of Sultan Sulayman, who commissioned the scholars of the villagers to respond to the message, so he sent his son Ibrahim at the head of the delegation of pilgrims and scholars to respond to that message. The Moroccan sultan Sulayman was inspired by this Islamic revivalist movement and used his authority to condemn the use of music and dance in religious ceremonies, and banning pilgrimages to saintly shrines and religious festivals, even having the qubba over his father's grave removed in 1812, arguing that it was excessive ornamentation.[6]

Recent relations

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Iran

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Main articles: Iran–Morocco relations and Iran–Saudi Arabia relations

Morocco and Saudi Arabia have together taken steps to curb Iranian influence in the Arab world. Morocco and Iran resumed diplomatic relations in 2015,[7] however Morocco cut diplomatic ties with Iran on 1 May 2018 after it supported the separatist Polisario Front in the disputed Western Sahara militarily and financially against Morocco.[8][9] Saudi Arabia is also cautious and hostile of Iran, especially with the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict.[10]

In 2019, both Morocco and Saudi Arabia sent delegations to participate in the February 2019 Warsaw Conference. The conference saw both two nations once again stabilized the relationship to normal, with both denounced Iran together.

Western Sahara status

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Main article: Western Sahara conflict

Saudi Arabia has typically supported Morocco over the dispute of Western Sahara and doesn't recognize the legitimacy of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.[11] It also supported Morocco by sending economic and military aid during the Western Sahara War (1975–1991).[12] Saudi Arabia also helps fund several projects in the region with support from Moroccan authorities.[13]

In February 2019, Morocco ended its involvement in the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, with foreign minister Nasser Bourita citing "developments on the ground" in Yemen, "especially in regards to the humanitarian situation". Saudi state television network Al Arabiya later aired a documentary challenging the Moroccan claim to the Western Sahara. Morocco responded by recalling its ambassador to Saudi Arabia.[14][15] However, ties between the two were enhanced after a few years.[16]

Yemeni Civil War

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Main articles: Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) and Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen

During the current Yemeni Civil War, Morocco participated as part of the anti-Houthi coalition led by Saudi Arabia, with 6 warplanes and 1,500 troops,[17][18] and ended its participation in February 2019.[14]

Qatar crisis

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Main article: 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis

Morocco has taken neutral stance in the conflict, hoping for a better resolution that would benefit Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the former having participated together with Morocco in the anti-Houthi campaign. Morocco even offered to act as a mediator to slow the tensions between the two Gulf Arab states.[19]

Resident diplomatic missions

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  • Morocco has an embassy in Riyadh and consulate-general in Jeddah.
  • Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Rabat.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Morocco severs relations with Iran". Al Jazeera. 8 March 2009.
  2. ^ "Morocco, Saudi Arabia keen to cement traditional ties". Xinhua News Agency. 2017-12-25. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018.
  3. ^ Limited, Elaph Publishing (2012-12-19). "اليوم العالمي للغة العربية: احتفال في اليونسكو ودورات تعليمية لمحبيها". Elaph - إيلاف (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-09-14. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "كيف جعل المغرب اللغة العربية لغة رسمية بالأمم المتحدة؟". Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية (in Arabic). 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  5. ^ "دعوة الحق - في التاريخ الدولي للمغرب: رسالة هامة من السلطان مولاي إسماعيل ملك المغرب إلي الأمير سعد بن زيد أمير مكة والمدينة (بداية القرن 12 ه، أواخر القرن 17م)". 2020-03-09. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  6. ^ Miller, Susan Gilson (2013-04-15). A History of Modern Morocco. Cambridge University Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-521-81070-8.
  7. ^ "Why did Iran, Morocco resume relations?". Al-Monitor. January 25, 2015.
  8. ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "Iran Supports Polisario, Challenges Morocco's Territorial Integrity". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  9. ^ Elatouabi, Mariam (2018-07-16). "Diplomatic relations between Morocco and Iran sour over Western Sahara dispute". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  10. ^ "The Iran-Saudi Arabia Conflict and its Impact on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation | Wilson Center". www.wilsoncenter.org. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  11. ^ "Saudi Arabia reiterates its support for Morocco on Western Sahara issue". Atalayar. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  12. ^ Antonio Díaz Fernandez, Los Servicios de Inteligencia Españoles, Alianza Editorial, Madrid, 2005, p. 176.
  13. ^ "Saudi Arabia to Invest in Western Sahara, Supports Morocco's Sovereignty". Morocco World News. March 9, 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Morocco recalls envoy to Saudi Arabia as diplomatic tensions rise". Reuters. 8 February 2019.
  15. ^ "Morocco suspends participation in Saudi-led war in Yemen". News24. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  16. ^ "Morocco, Saudi Arabia rekindle ties after years of tensions". Amwaj.media. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  17. ^ "Saudi warplanes bomb Houthi positions in Yemen". 25 March 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  18. ^ "Morocco sends ground troops to fight in Yemen". Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  19. ^ "King of Morocco Offers to Mediate Qatar-Saudi Diplomatic Spat". Albawaba News. June 12, 2017.
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