阿尔及利亚和摩洛哥之间的长期对立根植于西撒哈拉的地位问题[1]。摩洛哥坚持该地区是其不可分割的领土[1]，而阿尔及利亚则支持由波利萨里奥阵线代表的撒赫尔人民行使自决权[1]。这一根本分歧已演变为两国争夺马格里布地区主导权的更广泛竞争[1]。
西撒哈拉问题的恶化与国际外交事件密切相关[1]。2022年西班牙支持摩洛哥提出的西撒哈拉自治权方案后，两国与西班牙的外交关系随之恶化[1]。2020年摩洛哥与以色列建交时，以色列承认了摩洛哥对西撒哈拉的主张，进一步加剧了地区紧张局势[1]。国际危机集团将这种局面描述为"经典安全困境"，认为小事件或误判都可能引发局势升级[1]。
Algeria and Morocco remain locked in a fundamental dispute over Western Sahara's political status that has evolved into a broader contest for influence across North Africa. [1] Morocco asserts that Western Sahara is an integral part of its territory, while Algeria backs the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi people, represented by the Polisario Front. [1] This territorial disagreement intensified following Spain's endorsement of Morocco's Western Sahara autonomy proposal in 2022, a shift that severely damaged Madrid's diplomatic relations with Algiers. [1]
The rivalry has been further complicated by Morocco's 2020 normalization agreement with Israel, which included Israeli recognition of Morocco's claims over Western Sahara. [1] The International Crisis Group characterizes the Algeria-Morocco relationship as a "classic security dilemma," warning that minor incidents or miscalculations could trigger escalation. [1] Beyond the Western Sahara question, the two nations are competing for leadership within the Maghreb region, with military buildups and competition for European Union favor deepening regional tensions. [1] Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Algeria on July 20, 2026, to meet with President Teboune and Prime Minister Sifi Guerib, underscoring the international dimension of these disputes. [1]