The group was composed by six elements: three Moroccans and an equal number of Algerians, all arrested, recruited to undermine the security of Algeria and its administrative institutions, says a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office of Tlmcen (northwest), the second most populous city in Algeria and capital of the province of the same name.

The fact occurs at a time of high tension in relations between the two neighboring countries since in August 2021, Algeria broke diplomatic relations with Morocco due to the military occupation of Western Sahara by that country and coinciding with the restoration of relations between Rabat and Israel.

Friction also arose with the outbreak of several forest fires in areas that the Algerian authorities suspect were induced by the Moroccan kingdom using Berber separatists from the north of the country.

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