On Thursday, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the French ambassador to discuss the "seriousness" of the project, which will only "fuel the current crisis," according to the ministry's statement.
The CHERGUI 2025 exercise planned for September in the Moroccan city of Errachidia, not far from the Algerian border, will bring "the climate of tensions between the two countries to a higher threshold of seriousness," Algiers said.
Franco-Algerian relations have reached a critical juncture and are experiencing one of their most serious crises since Algeria's independence in 1962.
This escalation is largely due to the contentious issue of Western Sahara, where diverging positions have significantly strained relations. In particular, French President Emmanuel Macron's support for an autonomy plan under "Moroccan sovereignty" for the disputed territory has led to heightened tensions.
Morocco proposes autonomy for Western Sahara under its rule, while the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, demands a referendum on self-determination.