MOROCCO-ALGERIA: MILITARY CAPABILITIES AND LIKELY OUTCOME OF HOSTILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86T00608R000700120008-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 1, 2003
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: November 3, 1975
• Content Type: MEMO

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!C'1r(: rni:l.:Ltaa:y balance. between Morocco and Algeria
:Favors A:l.cler:i.a. Its mill-Lary estab:L .r.3lhmont tspc:r .a:r:
to that of Morocco becatlsc: it ha:, more combal: a:Lrcra:Ct:
`' St and bettor c;cjui.pped ground forces. Over the :Lor)g haul
~4,/Fi y1 t.{w,.:?;, its J orce:s would be export erl to. win a con, ent::i.anaL war.
In such a war, the A:Lgea::i.ans probably are c?apab:io of
taking and holding territory :ri osn? foxoccarr :Eoa:r:r.E;
Neither side, however, has the loSj1.,:,,Uca:L capability
to susta i.n major combat operations in the border area o
-: ( with Spanish Sahara for more than a. few weeks. Both
sides are likely to rc rt to raids, ambushes, and other
hit-and--run tactics. Such tactics place a premium on
mobility and timely intelligence, -t s which Lhe
Algerians with their larger- a:i.:r :force and botl.0r r.;ctuil?peel
y are more likely to be able to bring to 1. ear during
arm
the course of combat.
Ground Forces
Algeria's 60 , 000 man ground force is about the
same size as that of Morocco, but the Algerians are
better equipped with tanks, artillery, artillery, and axmored person.-
I gel carriers. The Algerians also are generally better
tr'aincdl. They would be expected to fare well with the i.r,
superior mobility and firepower coupled with superior
air support.
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