Morocco Reports Criminal Cyberattacks Linked to Western Sahara Tensions Amid Algerian Hackers' Breach of Social Security Database

The Moroccan government has reported a series of cyberattacks targeting its official websites, which it describes as 'criminal' acts attributed to its adversaries. These incidents are linked to the ongoing tensions surrounding the Western Sahara autonomy plan, with Morocco specifically implicating support from the United States in these cyber hostilities. In a notable breach, hackers compromised Morocco's social security database, marking an unprecedented escalation in cyber threats against the nation. Reports suggest that Moroccan media have pointed to Algerian hackers as responsible for the attacks, framing them as part of a broader cyber conflict between Morocco and Algeria. Additionally, the Islamic State's expansion in the Sahel region has raised concerns about the potential for increased terrorist threats in Morocco, as analysts note the strategic interest in the region for such groups.