Algeria has announced that it will immediately reinstate visa requirements for foreign citizens holding Moroccan passports. The decision was announced by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. In a statement, Algeria justified its decision by citing Morocco's «abuse» of the visa-free arrangement between the two countries. Algeria accused Morocco of «engaging in activities that threaten its stability and national security, including organized crime, drug and human trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration, and espionage». Algeria further claimed that Moroccan passports «have been used by Zionist intelligence elements to freely enter Algerian territory, posing a direct threat to the country's security». The statement concluded by holding Morocco responsible for the deterioration of bilateral relations, accusing it of «hostile and aggressive» actions against Algeria.
